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What, When and Where of NHHAW

Next week, November 11th – 17th is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and the Continuum of Care will be participating in several events throughout the week to bring awareness to these two vital issues in our community. Two of the largest events will take place on the same day, Friday November 16th, Box City and the Community Service Day and Veteran’s Stand Down.

The Coalition for Veterans Concerns and Dove, Inc. are co-sponsoring the Community Service Day and Veteran’s Stand Down. This event will include providers from social services, healthcare, employment, housing and other fields coming together in one place to provide those in need with the services they are seeking. The event will take place at Old King’s Orchard, 815 N. Church here in Decatur from 12 noon – 4:00 p.m. Anyone needing further information should contact Joan Meeder at Dove, Inc. 217-428-6616 or Lucy Brownlee, 217-875-1006.

The second event that will take place on Friday, November 16th will be the annual Box City. This event will include youth groups and others in the community gathering to experience a night of homelessness. We will meet at St. Paul Lutheran church, 340 W. Wood here in Decatur at 5:00 p.m. and wrap up with reflections at 6:30 a.m. the following morning. The event will afford those participating with the opportunity tour areas where services are provided, to hear directly from people who have experienced homelessness and to engage in hands on activities, as well as opportunities for continued engagement in assisting in resolving the homeless issue in our community. Anyone needing any further information should contact Homeward Bound at 217-362-7700.

Other ways to get involved during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week could be something as simple as donating the money you would normally spend on eating out to a local food bank or shelter or volunteering at a shelter or food bank. If anyone needs contact information for food banks or shelters in the area please feel free to contact Homeward Bound, 217-362-7700.

(Later we hope to share some of the experiences of the participants at these events.)

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