"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." - Matthew 25:35
Credit Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri with putting their faith into action.
The local social service organization is resettling up to 300 Afghan evacuees in the coming two-four months. For it to succeed, it needs our help.
Tens of thousands of Afghans were forced to flee their homeland in August after the U.S. withdrew its forces from Afghanistan and the Taliban took control.
As we reported Monday, the Jefferson City nonprofit will hold two town hall meetings this week to seek community support and educate people on resettlement efforts. Catholic Charities serves 38 counties in Central and Northern Missouri.
The agency has coordinated the arrival and services for all refugees resettled in the region for more than 45 years through its Refugee Services program.
Welcoming Refugees Town Hall is from 4-6 p.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Parish Activity Building, 105 Waugh St., in Columbia. Parking is available at the lot across the street from the church. There is more street and public parking near the church, the release states.
A Volunteer Open House will occur 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the Catholic Charities Columbia office, 916 Bernadette Drive, in Columbia. Additional parking for this event is available at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
Donations of new or very gently used winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves will be accepted at the events.
For additional assistance with resettlement efforts, the public is asked to donate by texting "WelcomeMO" to 91999, giving online at cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/give or mailing a check payable to CCCNMO to P.O. Box 104626, Jefferson City, MO, 65110.
Community groups are encouraged to become Community Sponsors - who are bridge-builders and ambassadors for the new arrivals. Sponsors create a sense of community for refugees by being friendly neighbors and becoming part of their social capital in their new homes.
These are people whose lives have been turned upside down in a way most of us cannot imagine. We encourage local groups and individuals to donate their time and/or money to the efforts. Learn more at www.cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/community-co-sponsorship.
News Tribune