Yesterday, in anticipation of our local weather turning significantly colder through the weekend, we delivered 14 large bags of sorted winter clothing and accessories to Interfaith Works’ New Leaf shelter, an emergency shelter in Rockville for both men and women.
The shelter normally serves 30 adults at a time, but their front desk staff said last night that they had more than 60 people staying overnight, seeking a warm place to sleep.
The temperature in the parking lot dropped quickly as it went from daylight to dark while the clothing was unloaded and brought inside. The total count delivered was 102 pieces: warm jackets, men's and women's sweaters, heavy-weight hooded sweatshirts and sweatpants, flannel shirts, thermal underwear, hats, gloves and winter scarves.
Almost every piece offered — many of them brand-new and others very gently worn — was brought to the Temple by the larger community of extended Sangha or local Poolesville residents leaving clothes in the dropbox near the Poolesville Little Free Pantry. People were so generous and thoughtful in their choices.
The staff at Interfaith Works’ New Leaf shelter was thrilled with the winter clothing donations — especially all the new heavy hoodies. A number of clients also came over to say thank you to Buddhist Relief for thinking of them.
