Day Center Needs: how you can help!
The Salvation Army of Rochester, MN, has been working in partnership with the City of Rochester and other local organizations to provide a Day Center for un-sheltered individuals. The Day Center is seeing an average of 50-80 individuals each day, and provides each of them with basic needs items like soap, deodorant, combs, socks, food, clothing, and more.
But the Day Center staff says that their biggest needs are for disposable masks and bottled water. "Being compliant with health guidelines where COVID-19 is concerned, we are not currently able to operate drinking fountains in the Day Center," said Major Lisa Mueller, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army in Rochester, "bottled water is the only way we are able to keep guests hydrated."
Major Lisa also says that most guests are quick to discard masks whether they are disposable or reusable as soon as they leave the Day Center space for a breath of fresh air or a smoke. Because they need to be masked in order to re-enter the space, the Day Center is distributing 50 or more disposable masks each day.
The Salvation Army has put out a request to the surrounding community that any donations of these items is a huge help. Donations can be brought directly to the Day Center at 115 First Avenue NE between 8am and 4pm Monday- Friday.
Other needed items include:
travel sized shampoo, razors, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, new socks, new men and women's underwear, tshirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants with drawstrings, men's shoes, women's tennis shoes (no high heels), backpacks and sturdy bags, blankets/sleeping bags (please no bed sheets, comforters, or pillow cases)
Please call the Day Center sat 507-288-3663 with any questions about donations or Day Center services.