Lucy's Hearth Asking for Community Support

Lucy’s Hearth, a Middletown shelter for homeless mothers and their children, is reaching out to the community to help it support its residents and former residents in need during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

Each year Lucy’s Hearth usually assists over 400 women and children at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Its program director, Jennifer Barrera, predicts this year will be more of a challenge. “We started getting phone calls for help back in September. More people need assistance to make it through the holidays, especially at Christmas because of the economy,” she said.

For Thanksgiving, Lucy’s Hearth is seeking vouchers to purchase turkeys at supermarkets in the Middletown area. “Vouchers are the easiest way for us to ensure that each family receives what they need for their meal, and makes it easier for them to take things home on the bus,” she said.  The shelter is also accepting non-perishable food.

For Christmas, the shelter is seeking gift cards to local stores in the ten to fifty dollar range.  It is also looking for companies and individuals to “adopt” families. “We have so many small children here that still believe in Santa, and it’s difficult for us to hide presents from them in such a small building. Gift cards make Christmas easier because of their size and it also gives the moms the opportunity to go out shopping for their children and create traditions for their families,” she said.

Community members interested in providing Thanksgiving or Christmas assistance or volunteering should call 401-847-2021.

Former Lucy’s Hearth residents who may need holiday assistance are asked to stop by the shelter the week of October 21 between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., or Saturday October 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Any former resident not signing up at that time for assistance will still have the opportunity on Monday and Tuesday, October 28 and 29, between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

“Lucy’s Hearth has been helping the community for 29 years. We’re looking forward to this holiday season and know it’s going to be a great one with the help of our neighbors,” says Ms. Barrera.

Because staff and volunteers will be focusing on food and toy donations, she said Lucy’s Hearth will not be able to accept donations of used clothing and household items during November and December.