By Liz Alley
Special to The PREVIEW
Here are some clever ways you can help during Pagosa Springs’ first annual National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week:
1. Bring your favorite potluck dish to share for the community lunch on Saturday, Nov. 10, to the American Legion Hall at 287 Hermosa St. Please bring by 10:30 a.m.
2. Bring food for our food pantries to the Coyote Hill “Hike to End Hunger and Homelessness.” Healthy foods only, please (Our food pantries have an abundance of Hamburger Helper). The hike will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11. Dress for the weather and bring water and good weather-proof hiking shoes. Coyote Hill is the first parking area to the right off Piedra Road that is past the cattle guard and beginning of San Juan National Forest boundary.
3. Donate good winter socks, all sizes, to the Justice Ministries office at 459 Lewis St. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, for our Winter Sock Drive. Socks will be distributed year-round.
4. Hot springs passes donations to the Justice Ministries office at 459 Lewis St. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Passes will be provided year-round to our working homeless folks. Passes from any of the hot springs businesses will be greatly appreciated.
5. Snacks donations for those who come to visit our tiny home in the Justice Ministries parking lot on Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 459 Lewis St.
6. Visit with those who serve and who come to Loaves and Fishes at the Parish Hall on Lewis Street on Thursday, Nov. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. You will be blessed and you will get a free lunch.
7. Bring healthy food items for our local food pantries to Sage Mobile Eatery at East Side Market (the farmers market location). Sage is graciously providing free cinnamon rolls and a cup of coffee to those who donate on Nov. 16 from 8 to 11 a.m.
8. Bring food donations to La Plata Electric Association’s annual “Fill the Bucket” food drive in the City Market parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 17.
9. On Nov. 18 (and every day), please spread the word at your churches, to your friends, families, co-workers and businesses about those in need in Pagosa Springs. We appreciate donations year-round that will help our hungry and homeless neighbors.
10. Justice Ministries of Pagosa is now a nonprofit agency with Southwest Colorado Gives. Please help us with your donations at: https://www.coloradogives.org/index.php?section=organizations&action=newDonation&fwID=39892.
Let’s show all of Colorado what an amazing town Pagosa Springs is when it comes to helping others.
Cash and non-cash donors will receive a tax donation receipt.
Questions? Call Justice Ministries of Pagosa at 264-4483.
