Christmas could be just another cold and hungry day for a great many families in our community.

That’s why DRMM is calling on faithful friends and supporters to adopt a struggling family and make this a Christmas they will never forget.

Each of the gift items below will make a huge difference in the lives of boys and girls, families and individuals who need to know someone cares. Thank you for giving generously to make Christmas merry for people who are in need.

You can adopt a family in need this Christmas, by simply contacting Kisha Woods at kwoods@drmm.org or at 313-993-4700 ext 3930 by December 1, 2015.

Merry Christmas Gifts FOR A BOY:

• 1 outfit—jeans/pants, shirt, underwear, socks, shoes, winter coat, hat, scarf, and gloves.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste.
• One or two toys.
• Please also include one book.

Merry Christmas Gifts FOR A GIRL:

• 1 outfit—jeans/skirt, sweater, underwear, socks, shoes, winter coat, hat, scarf, and gloves.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste.
• One or two toys.
• Please also include one book.

Merry Christmas Gifts FOR A NEW BABY:

• 1 warm winter outfit, coat, and hat.
• Diapers, baby wipes.
• One or two toys.

Merry Christmas Gifts FOR A WOMAN:

• Winter clothes, hat, scarf, gloves, socks, and shoes.
• Personal hygiene items.
• A book or Bible.

Merry Christmas Gifts FOR A MAN:

• Winter clothes, hat, scarf, gloves, socks, and shoes.

At 83 years of age, Lois would tell you that she envisioned her “golden” years as somewhat different than they are now. For starters, she would never have guessed she would rely on a food bank for many of the meals she needs to survive.

She’s not alone. On any given day, hundreds of men, women, and entire families will turn to DRMM’s Lighthouse Food Bank for help putting food on the table.

Many of them are working poor, which means they bring home just enough income to keep a roof over their head, but little is leftover to spend on groceries. But thanks to gifts from friends like you, our Lighthouse Food Bank can be counted on to provide each struggling family, and individuals like Lois, with a box of much needed food—as long as supplies don’t run out!

“There are a lot of people who need help, a lot of people going hungry,” Lois says. “Sometimes I feel ashamed and poor, but the people here treat me nice. They give me canned goods, juice, cereal, bread, vegetables, and sometimes cheese and apples . . . whatever they have to give.”

Just $4.16 provides a box of groceries for someone, like Lois, who is hungry and struggling to make ends meet. Please give generously now to ensure everyone who is hungry and hurting gets the help they need this Christmas and in the bitter winter days ahead!

“We’d been homeless off and on for four or five years. We went from the homes of family members to the houses of friends,” Sharon says. “I remember times when I didn’t have any money and my son was hungry. I didn’t know how I was going to feed or clothe him.

“My son would cry and ask me, ‘Mama, are things going to get better?’

“At one point we were staying at a house where the only utility they had was water. I didn’t want my son living like that. So finally I just broke down and said I’ll go to a shelter and see if I can get on my feet, establish some housing, and get a good job.”

DRMM—a place of safe refuge, warmth, and love
Sharon and her son, Christopher, found their way to Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), one of the few places in the Detroit area able to accept homeless women with children. It was not easy for Sharon to walk through our doors and ask for help, but out of love for her son, she did it.

The welcome she and Christopher received astonished her.

With kindness and compassion, our staff listened to Sharon’s struggles . . . and her hopes and dreams. In no time, the little family was set up in a nice, clean room of their own in our women and children’s center.

A Christmas celebration like no other
But with Christmas fast approaching, Sharon felt anxiety build within her.

Living in a shelter, with no job and no money, how could she make Christmas special for her little boy?

Sharon couldn’t have known how friends like you go the extra mile to make the holidays special for people who are lost, broken, and struggling to rebuild their lives. But she knows now!

“I didn’t think my son was going to have much of a Christmas, but it was amazing,” she recalls. “There were donated toys for the kids and the adults got beautiful baskets filled with towels and toiletries. There were parties. We really enjoyed being here at Christmas.”

The recipe for a fresh start in life
DRMM staff put Sharon on a fast track to build her confidence, skill set, and ultimately a secure and independent life for her and her son. In just 10 months, Sharon had secured a job and a home she and Christopher could call their own!

With tears in her eyes, Sharon expressed her gratitude for the generosity and compassion of DRMM’s staff and supporters like you, “Thank you so much. We were able to get shelter, and I got the help I needed to set and accomplish my goals. This place has been a blessing to me and I plan to come back and be a blessing to others, too.”

On behalf of homeless women and children, like Sharon and Christopher, please share a special gift today so others can experience the love and mercy of Christ this Christmas.