If you’ve seen the popular sitcom, Friends, you likely can hear the voice of Ross Geller in your head yelling “Pivot, Pivot, Pivot!” Pivoting is something we are often required to do here at Lubbock Impact as the needs of our community present themselves.
Our North Hall has been filled with tables of blankets, winter hats and gloves scarves and more, seemingly waiting for January 14th (the day of our scheduled Warmth Night). But as the forecast for the first full week of January accurately predicted below freezing temperatures and winter precipitation, the decision to open the opportunity to grab warmth items a week early was easy.
Our goal is always to do what we can to help meet the basic needs of those in our community who are struggling to provide on their own. Cold weather doesn’t wait for anyone and often a level of flexibility is required to readily meet the current need. We feel so grateful to have been prepared with plenty of donated items to offer a week before we planned to!
As summer turned into fall last year, many took the opportunity to go through their closets and generously donate their warmer items that they no longer needed to Lubbock Impact. Knowing that our yearly Warmth Night would be coming up, our staff and volunteers began setting aside donations of blankets, winter hats and gloves, scarves and other winter items. The holiday season presented additional opportunities for local partners like Lubbock Cooper Health Center, Southcrest Baptist Church, First Baptist Church’s Children’s Ministry and Michael Postar’s Affordable Storage to host drives collecting winter items as well. We have felt an overwhelming abundance of support as we’ve unloaded truckloads of coats, blankets and more for the many who are in need this winter.
Our January 14th Warmth Night still took place as scheduled for those still in need of warm items. There were many warm smiles and warm hands as participants tried on hats and gloves and grabbed blankets to keep them warm. Additionally, we were so grateful to partner with Reliant/ NRG to pass out more than 50 space heaters for those without a heat source during these winter months.
We’re overjoyed to be able to provide some warmth as temperatures continue to drop this month. As we stay flexible and pivot as needed, we are grateful for the Lord’s provision and so blessed to be His hands and feet.