Organizations checking in on the unhoused communities and less fortunate ahead of the holidays
BILOXI, Miss. (WXXV) — In the spirit of giving, Back Bay Mission in Biloxi is providing assistance to the unhoused community and those in need ahead of Christmas.
In the past week, Back Bay Mission handed out around 150 gift baskets stocked full of food items like chickens, turkeys, and of course canned items and extras for a full Christmas dinner. They also handed out bags filled with essentials for those in the unhoused community along with over 80 cots.
“During the holiday season, that’s a time that we want to express to our unsheltered, less fortunate, homeless community, that we do love them and care about them. We get to go home to our families for Christmas. We get to enjoy, and love on one another and exchange gifts. So, we want to always make sure that we can give to our guests to make sure that they are loved and that we at Back Bay Mission do care about them,” said Raysha Harvey, Micah Day Center Coordinator.
Support for the unhoused and those in need doesn’t stop after the holidays — it’s needed year-round.
Back Bay Mission says since around Thanksgiving, they’ve seen a noticeable rise in food insecurity, particularly within the Hispanic and Vietnamese communities.
“We’ve definitely seen an increase this holiday season. Since Thanksgiving, its reached 35 families with El Pueblo, and with our Vietnamese community it’s more individuals. So, it’s not whole families coming together, it’s more individuals that come on our campus and are asking for support,” said Jonathan Briggs, Director of Client Services at Back Bay Mission.
Executive Director James Pennington says this is an effort they organize every year with the help of donations from local organizations and individuals in the community.
“It’s easier for people to step up during the holidays, but it’s important that we support our unsheltered and people living in poverty, people living with food insecurity, all year. And I have to say, I’d give a shoutout to out community because they’ve really come forward, especially with food for our food pantry, which we’ve seen an increase. People have really stepped forward to donate to that,” said Pennington.
Back Bay Mission says they are extremely grateful for all of the support they have received from the community this holiday season, because without it, they would not be able to provide these gifts to those who need it.
They also noted that on Wednesday night, Christmas Eve, they will have a bonfire on the beach near where the new Veterans Avenue Pier in set to be constructed in Biloxi. It will start at 6 p.m. and any who wish to attend are welcome.
