I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me. – Matthew 25:42-45 (CEB)

With the ending of Title 42, there is expected to be an influx of people across our southern borders in the next few weeks. To address the need for shelter, we are asking for assistance from across the conference. You can help in one of two ways:

Echo Park UMC (West District) is planning on opening its doors as a transit shelter: most people will have onward locations and will only stay for a maximum of 48 hours. To achieve this, we have a shopping list to ensure they are fully equipped:

• food
• water
• beds, air mattresses, mats
• bedding
• heater
• towels
• clothing (clean and in good condition, preferably new): underwear, socks, jackets, T-shirts, and jeans only
• sanitary products: diapers, menstrual pads
• toiletry kits
• staffing: volunteers
• cooking equipment
• tableware: plates, silverware, etc.
• trash bags

For Jacumba UMC (South District), a quick Amazon.com shopping list with water, canned meats, and baby food has been created for direct delivery to the donation site. You can find the link to the shopping list HERE.

Financial gifts are, of course, welcome. These can be given at calpacumc.org/donate.

If you have some space in your fellowship halls or sanctuaries, consider providing similar shelter yourselves. Again, it will only be for 48 hours. You would need to provide food, bedding, showers, clothing, and onward transportation. We have a team of people developing a package that would help explain what would be required of you and what support you could expect from the conference and our partners.

Please contact Rev. Denyse Barnes at dbarnes@calpacumc.org with any questions and offers of support.