The Manhattan Emergency Shelter, the city’s only homeless shelter, is giving people a chance to give back in a creative way through their Adopt-N-Ornament Tree.
The tree is decorated with ornaments containing wish lists belonging to people staying at the shelter.
People wanting to participate can pick out ornaments, get the items on the list, and then bring them back to the shelter until Dec. 16th.
According to Jessica Wilkus, the donation and volunteer coordinator for the shelter, donating through the Adopt-N-Ornament Tree helps a little extra because it assists a shelter that is largely reliant on supplies given by the community and brings some holiday cheer to those who may not be able to afford presents.
“We have men, women and children,” Wilkus said. “Anyone that is wanting to give back to those that do not have extra funds to be able to provide a Christmas morning or any of those individuals that are staying with us, it’s a great way to spread that holiday cheer throughout.”
Wilkus recommends that when people come in, they should do so before 9 p.m. and if they are bringing in a gift or a donation, it should be unwrapped so staff are aware of what it is.
The shelter is currently in need of multipurpose cleaners, disinfectant wipes, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, pillows, razors, shaving gel, full-sized shower and bath products, gloves, hats, scarves, new coats and fuzzy socks.
Monetary donations are also accepted.
Another way to give back to the Manhattan Emergency Shelter is through the shelter’s Holiday Mailings.
Wilkus recommends keeping an eye on your mail box this time of year for an opportunity to help financially support the shelter.
“We rely on the contributions from our community to be able to pay for our insurance,” Wilkus said. “$500 would cover utilities and internet for one week. $150 would help us staff our shelter overnight, so any of those contributions just keep us in operation.”
Monetary donations can also be made through at mesikansas.org.
The shelter’s website also contains information about volunteering and other ways to donate.
The Manhattan Emergency Shelter is located at 416 Yuma St..
