The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way a local agency serves people who need food and housing.
Steve Gottcent, from Christian Care, says for a few weeks its building in downtown Rock Island has been closed to the public.
The staff of about 12 are operating the men's homeless shelter without help from volunteers.
Employees also make dozens of sack lunches and dinners to hand out every day, instead of serving meals to men, women, and children.
Gottcent says Christian Care needs donations of bread, sandwich meat, sliced cheese, fruit, small bags of chips, cookies or granola bars, bottles of water, baggies, and sacks.
The shelter also needs cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and a lot of the things that are currently in demand.
But the shelter is not accepting clothing donations right now.
A few of the men at the shelter lost their jobs because of the pandemic. But Gottcent says most of them realize they'd be out on the streets without Christian Care, so having a bed, food, and others who are helping them gives them a sense of peace and relief.
Christian Care has a waiting list for its 42 beds and works with residents to helps them find jobs and apartments. Cash donations are always welcome. More information is available on its website HERE.
