Local group shows love to the homeless on Thanksgiving Day
Calexico homeless are getting a shower, clothing, shoes, and a Thanksgiving dinner thanks to the Brown Bag Coalition. Co-founder Maribel Padilla said it’s all about making a difference.
“We told them from 8 to 4 was showers and to get some clothes,” Padilla said.
There were several tables stacked with clothes for the homeless to choose from at the Men’s Shelter on Encinas Avenue.
“The only things that we do buy with financial donations that we get, i’ll buy the socks, i’ll buy the underwear so that they get new,” Padilla said.
Mexican Loteria games were played so that everyone had a chance to win prizes. After that, dinner was served.
“Not your traditional turkey dinner. It’s going to be Pavo Alcaparrado. It’s going to have mashed potatoes, cheesy potatoes, salad, and lots of pies that people have donated. It’s made from the turkey and it’s really good. We wanted to give them something a little bit different,” Padilla said.
She wants the homeless to feel loved.
“I see human beings. I see people that have had it rough for one reason or the other. They are not less than anybody else; they just have had other issues that have led them to be where they are,” Padilla said.
She’s become close to them at a personal level.
“And it’s not all like people think. Oh, they’re just druggies, they’re just drunks. There’s a lot of homeless field workers,” Padilla said.
Concerns over Hepatitis A outbreak still linger.
“We’re still passing out the wash kits. I’m having a meeting with Mayor Hurtado and we’re going to talk about actually going out there and washing the streets,” Padilla said.
She said the coalition is motivated by the need they see all around them.
“The thing is somebody’s got to do it. I’m out there and asking people to help. And that’s where I get the volunteers to come and help me to donate and stuff. And all doing a little bit together, we can help out these people,” Padilla said.
People can contact the Calexico Brown Bag Coalition at Facebook for donations.
