Until Love Inc. got involved with the homeless in Merced County, many would go for months without a shower or clean clothes.
The Community Foundation of Merced County presents Love, Inc with a donation of $17,200. From left, are: Billie Razzari, Sandy Delreal, Annette Macias, Eric Swenson and Mark Sievert
Until Love Inc. got involved with the homeless in Merced County, many would go for months without a shower or clean clothes.
Love Inc. now partners with the local Salvation Army providing portable showers which have been used by more than 300 people who are struggling with homelessness.
The showers are open every Thursday, form 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Salvation Army offices at 212th and V Streets in Merced.
In a couple of cases, people who took advantage of the showers went on to job interviews which were set up, and they were later offered employment.
Many local organizations and businesses have assisted Love Inc in the work it does in Merced, Atwater, Winton, Planada and Le Grand. Those include Merced Sunrise Rotary, which gave a $100 shopping spree to 100 kids at Target, (many of the kids had never had a new outfit of their own).
Merced Dollar General Stores hosted donation barrels for a toy drive at Christmas time and Yosemite Church Coffee Break set up a Clearing House closet, stocking it with sheets, pillows, diapers, gloves, scarfs, blankets, and so much more.
First Baptist Morning Glory Bible study group collected blankets for homeless people to keep them warm.
Coats for Hope was an event held at the Boys and Girls Club in which 465 coats were given to local children.
Community Foundation was a major donor which gave $17,200 to Love Inc. to help pay for the Homeless Shower Ministry. The funds will allow Love Inc. to have a second shower and trailer for the homeless.
In 2021, there were 1,180 boxes of food given at local churches.
According to Annette Macias, who directs Love Inc., on April 2, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the organization will celebrate 30 years of service in Merced and the surrounding area. There will be an annual dinner and auction to help raise money for the coming year. A contact number for Love Inc. is (209) 383-7034. A web site is available for more information (loveincmerced.com) and people can also email: [email protected].
For those in need of assistance the number is (209) 383-1265, ext. 100.