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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota Region VI Homeless Coalition is partnering with Jamestown Ministerial Association, Triumph Inc. and Edgewood Senior Living for the Second Annual Blessing Bags Drive.

“Blessing Bags” are donated essential care items for people experiencing homelessness and other hardships. The event will establish Mercy Box locations where people can donate new, travel sized personal care items, small pre-packaged non-perishable snacks, socks, and small first aid supplies.

“The need to actively care for people experiencing homelessness in North Dakota is growing,” stated Cassie DuBray, Assistant Executive Director with Stutsman County Housing Authority.

“In 2016 it was estimated that over 10,000 people across the State experienced some form of homelessness. In January 2016 alone, 923 persons state-wide were documented as experiencing homelessness with 154 of those individuals being under the age of 18.”

In 2016, enough donations were collected to fill 73 one-gallon size zip-top Blessing Bangs. They were then distributed to the South Central Human Service Center, Community Action, Freedom Resources, James River Correctional Center, local churches, and Jamestown Public Schools.

Item collections will begin March 1st and continue through April 17th at several collection sites in Jamestown. These include Stutsman County Housing Authority, Triumph Inc., and Edgewood Senior Living March 1- April 17, and the following churches on the specific dates indicated:

·         Trinity Lutheran Church – March 8                   

·         St. Paul’s Methodist Church – March 15

·         Church of the Nazarene – March 22

·         First Congregational United Church of Christ — March 29

·         St. James Basilica – April 5

·         United Presbyterian Church – April 14

On Thursday, April 20th at 2:00 PM, all donated items will be assembled into Blessing Bags at Edgewood Senior Living. All community members are invited to attend.