Posted October 19, 2017

In response to the growing needs of the homeless population in Montgomery County, St. Eleanor Parish in Collegeville will collect donations of travel-sized toiletries, coffee and sugar from the community during “Operation: Help the Homeless” on Oct. 21-22.

“Travel-sized toiletries are especially in high demand because the homeless brothers and sisters in our community have limited storage, and they often have to carry their possessions wherever they go,” said Alex Price, a youth minister at St. Eleanor Parish.

Young people from the parish’s new Youth Ministry program will welcome volunteers to help check, sort and box the donations, which will be delivered to the Norristown Hospitality Center. The center provides basic needs and social services to more than 1,000 individuals in Montgomery County.

“We are a resource center and day shelter where clients can receive breakfast, mail services, a hot shower and referrals to many other agencies,” said Jen Mathews, development coordinator at Norristown Hospitality Center.

Donations can be dropped off to the St. Eleanor Parish Office located at 647 Locust Street in Collegeville from Oct. 16 through 22. Needed items include: Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, mouthwash, razors, shaving cream, Chapstick, first-aid supplies, batteries, Band‐Aids, tissues, Q‐tips, hair brushes, combs, hair spray/gel, hand lotion, baby powder, shower caps, feminine hygiene products, make‐up, warm socks, hats, gloves and small sewing kits.

Also, coffee and sugar are needed desperately. Breakfast is served daily and coffee supplies are

To make a bulk donation, contact the parish office at 610-489-1647 ext. 15.

“It is always inspiring to see the generosity of the people in the greater Collegeville community whenever we host an outreach project,” said Matt Kirsch, director of Youth Ministry at St. Eleanor Parish. “We work with the young people of the parish to increase awareness about homelessness in our community, and our call as Christians to work to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable members of our community.”