First Presbyterian Church, who has always been a huge supporter of our homeless shelter, thought of us during their vacation bible school in June. Rather than do a scripted theme for VBS this year, they decided to put the focus on helping the needy in the community. During the week of June 15 – 18, 2015 adults and children packed lunches of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a treat, and water into brown paper bags and delivered them to the shelter each day. We are an emergency night only shelter so all our residents have to leave the shelter by eight in the morning. We were able to hand out the lunch bags to residents each day as they were leaving the premises. Meals are provided for breakfast and supper at the shelter so having a sandwich and snack for lunch helped residents who would not have had a lunch to eat or had the money to buy lunch. We really appreciate being included in their effort to teach the kids how to think of others in need.

The church's Ulster Project aims to help young, Christian-based potential leaders from Northern Ireland and the United States become peacemakers by providing a safe environment for learning learn. It also aims to instill skills needed to unite people when differences divide them. The project came for a tour of our new building and brought hygiene kits they had packed along with them. We are very appreciative to them for making us one of their missions to help while they were here.At the Winterville Senior Club’s July meeting Casey Holland, Program Development Director, was given the opportunity to speak on behalf of the shelter. The members were very gracious and asked many questions. It is always a pleasure to educate the community on our mission and who we serve. One of our goals is to spread the word to our community to the realities of being homeless, the causes of homelessness and sharing what you can do to help. The club adopted Community Crossroads Place for the month of July as their opportunity to serve others. One of our greatest needs was filled as they presented us with sets of twin size sheets. We are like a motel when it comes to the need for linens so every item is a great help. It was a very enjoyable event.