My husband and I began by filling outside pantries in Muskegon, hoping to offer a little help to those in need. Over time, we met many of the homeless who came to the pantries, and their stories touched us deeply. We realized that simply providing food wasn’t enough—there were so many more needs, especially as winter set in. We saw people coming to the pantries wearing only socks and sandals in the snow, searching for food, and women looking for feminine hygiene products. Some were desperate for warmth, sleeping bags, and tents to survive the cold. Last year, four people in our city froze to death. This is unacceptable in our country, and it moved us to take action.

We want to do more. With your support, we can provide heaters for tents, warm clothing, boots, socks, coats, hats, gloves, and hand warmers to protect fingers and feet. We also want to supply personal hygiene products for women, who often go without these basic necessities. I’ve received messages from women who can’t find tampons or pads, describing it as an indignity no one should have to endure. There are many more items we hope to provide, all aimed at restoring dignity and comfort to those who need it most.

We have witnessed heartbreaking situations—like finding a man in a wheelchair sitting in the rain on a street corner, his head hanging as he tried to stay warm, or another man huddled in the corner of a building to escape the blowing snow. This isn’t right in our country. Please help us make a difference for the homeless in Muskegon. Every donation, no matter the size, will help provide warmth, dignity, and hope.