No-Contact Dropoff Drive Planned At St. Joseph Catholic Church

HOMEWOOD, IL — Food and clothing items to help people in need will be accepted in the north parking lot of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 17951 Dixie Highway in Homewood in a "no-contact drop off" set for Saturday, May 30 from 9-11 a.m. The donation drive is a joint effort from the St. Joseph Public Action to Deliver Shelter, known as PADS, team and Catholic Charities.

"We are in unprecedented and unparalleled times and the ability of people to help other people is incredible. Even more so important now," said Jim Bova, a member of the St. Joseph PADS team who is organizing the clothing portion of the drive.

Bova said specific clothing items in need are of children's clothes ages 1-7, large and extra large women's clothes and large, extra large and double extra large clothes for men.

He's part of a "very dedicated" group from St. Joseph that supports the PADS organization. During the coronavirus pandemic, PADS has centralized the homeless community they support to a single location in Calumet City.

Those who can donate should put their items in bags or boxes in their trunk, drive into the parking lot during the time noted above and pop their trunk. Volunteers will take the clothes and food donations from there.