Community Outreach Project:
Saying Grace: Stories from the Shelter
Fall Play Production took on a serious role as we faced our own community’s thoughts about our “homeless neighbors”. Working alongside Pastor Jack, SSHS tractor shed theatre students went to downtown’s day shelter for the homeless in order to meet their participants and have a better understanding of what it is like to be homeless in Hickory. We met several times and fellowshipped and fed our homeless neighbors and homeless veterans. We gathered their life stories and spent hours listening to and understanding their circumstances. We went back to the Tractor Shed Theatre and created art out of our sharing sessions. We went back on several occasions after hours to help clean their facility – bathrooms, removing mold, shampooing carpets, and killing cockroaches. We brought in new DVDs, books, and other forms of entertainment. A parent of one of my student’s was able to fix their shower and even give them a new powerful shower head. The homeless neighbors were so delighted! We also supplied the ladies with a hair dryer so they wouldn’t have to go out in the cold with wet hair. We also helped make plastic bag woven beds and pillows. We then set our sights on getting the Key Club to join our efforts and do a real drive for winter items. We had two teachers donate clothes but since our efforts here were somewhat fruitless, we turned our aim to our community and churches. We were able to present The Grace House with cleaning supplies, household products, food, drink, toiletries, rain items, Chapstick, book bags, bedding, towels, etc. We hit heavy with warm clothes and coats, gloves, hats, etc. What the Grace House could not store, we took the rest to Cooperative Christian Ministries. We helped just in time for the major cold snap.