How did I miss this? I guess I’ve been distracted or something. Maybe it was the heat.

On July 5th, Pastor Daniel Meeter, of Old First Church, posted this good news about the homeless men, who used to make their home on the steps of that church.

Well, good news. We’ve got our homeless men housed. The Three Homeless of Old First, plus three more who came to Old First asking for help. Thanks to Common Ground, and the city’s Department of Homeless Services, we’ve got a little thing going. Hooray.

Now the Park Slope Coalition for the Homeless, which includes Old First, Congregation Beth Elohim, the Park Slope Civic Council and some neighbors, is working on the next step, which is gathering all those things people need, as Meeter puts it, to turn a house into a home: Frying Pans. Curtains. Tea Towels. Dishes. Napkins (I must say his inclusion of tea towels on the list is very endearing).

Here are the details and ways that you can help:

Common Ground has selected ten clients (including the three who used to live on the steps of Old First) to receive housewarming care packages. Common Ground will help the clients with their wish lists (dishes, linens, bath accessories, small kitchen appliances, etc.). Once they finish the wish lists, it’s our turn to get to work.

First, we’ll collect donated items on the wish lists, from now through July 27. Next, we’ll have volunteers work with the DHS to gather the donations and package them for delivery to the clients, and then deliver them, starting at the beginning of August.

For personal items, we’ll help the clients choose their own items. They’ll get gift cards to use at a the store of their choice. We’ll need volunteers to assist the clients on their shopping trips, accompanied by a staff member from Common Ground or DHS.

Won’t you join us in this exciting opportunity to help our less fortunate neighbors? You can sign up with us at our coffee hour after church on Sundays. Or you can call the church office and leave your name and contact information. 718-638-8300

.