During the Fall, Winter, and Spring months, Grace Church hosts a lunch and bible study on Saturdays for the homeless. Tomorrow, Grace Church will be hosting a special Monday edition of Grace’s Table, courtesy of Holy Trinity parishioners who are providing lunch.

Thank you, Grace Church and Holy Trinity, for coming together on MLK/Inauguration Day to host Grace’s Table for our guests.

Point in Time 2013

Wednesday, January 30 Thursday, January 31 is the annual Point in Time survey, and Georgetown Ministry Center needs volunteers to help! Do you know where a homeless person sleeps at night? Are you willing to canvass the streets with us on the 30th 31st? If so, please read on!

What is the Point in Time?
The Point In Time survey is a coordinated, annual count of individuals and families in the region who are homeless.  This year, the count for unsheltered individuals will be conducted on Wednesday, January 30 Thursday, January 31, 2013, between 9:30pm and 2am.

Why is this survey done?
The information will be used to help determine the need for supportive services in the District. It will also help the District learn how homeless assistance organizations can better assist their clients.

What can I do to help?
There are two ways to help:

• If you know where a homeless individuals camps out at night, please let GMC staff know so that we can reach out to that person during the PIT survey. This will help us minimize the time we will have to spend walking around at night.
• Come by Georgetown Ministry Center at 9:30pm on Wednesday, January 30 Thursday, January 31 to help GMC staff canvass the streets. If possible, please let us know that you plan on volunteering that night so we can plan out teams. (Email Stephanie at stephanie@gmcgt.org or call 202-338-8301.)

This post has been edited to reflect the new PIT date.

The Washington DC VA Medical Center is free health, consultative, psychological, and support services to homeless and at-risk veterans on January 12 from 9:00am – 2:00pm! There is free transportation for vets from certain metro stops. If you know of a homeless or at-risk veteran, please pass the message along!

Click the image at left to see the full DC Stand Down Flyer

We are always grateful for the friends we have at GMC, but we are especially grateful during the winter months and holiday season, when our neighbors help make the holiday season a special one for our members. Thank you to Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown, who every year makes GMC one of the recipients of its Holiday Giving Tree

Another shout out goes to Maggie Handel, who has been such an avid supporter of GMC. She organized a sock drive for us and lovingly wrapped over 100 pairs of socks for her and her niece to distribute on Christmas Day. She also provided a delicious brunch for everyone on Christmas. That’s not all! For the six ladies who regularly participate in our knitting group, she put together “cold weather survival kits.”

Gifts for the Homeless, which is a wholly volunteer-run organization that annually organized a huge clothing and donation drive for over 70 shelters, also helped make this holiday season a warm one by donating lots of cold weather essentials.

And then there are our many volunteers and friends who have helped us in many different ways, from providing food for our holiday party or on Christmas Eve (thanks, Peggy, Pat, and Anne!) or volunteering on the 24th and 25th (looking at you, Anna, Amy, and Nadeeda!). And if I’ve neglected to mention you, please know that you are included in this thanks (and let me know so I can properly acknowledge you).

Have a wonderful, safe, and happy new year!

On Sunday, December 16, GMC members were treated the results of a Beef Stew Challenge organized again by the wonderful Maggie Handel. Like the Sloppy Joe Challenge she put together last month, Maggie posted on the Georgetown listserv and asked her network of friends and neighbors for help.

A huge THANK YOU to Maggie for organizing the lunch and to everyone who helped cook and serve: Carol, Clarisa, and Linh for the home-cooked hot meal and Amanda & Megan for their service with a smile.

The next hot meal challenge that Maggie is organizing is scheduled for January 27. Stay tuned!