River Ministries
Each Saturday morning at 9:00 AM (regardless of weather) many dedicated bikers from Christian Clubs around the city, and as far away as Minford, OH and Sciotoville, OH, along with caring folks representing churches in Huntington, Chesapeake, Proctorville, South Point, and Barboursville, all gather to feed and clothe river dwellers, the homeless, transients, poor, needy, sickly, and addicts.
This outpouring of Jesus' love to many of the social rejects of the community is accomplished through the generosity of people who simply share what they have. Churches and individuals can LINK UP with the bikers and workers by gathering up seasonal items like the ones listed below:
FALL AND WINTER - warm coats, rugged sweaters, sweat shirts, warm hats and toboggans, scarves, gloves, heavy socks (no ankle-highs please), jeans, wool or heavy cotton pants, boots, blankets, toilet paper, tooth paste, tooth brushes, hair brushes and combs, shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene products, wash cloths and towels.
SPRING AND SUMMER - seasonal jackets and light sweaters, jeans, shorts, T-shirts, white socks (ankle-highs are OK at this time of year), tennis shoes, sweat pants and shirts, rain coats, blankets, and other personal hygiene items listed above.
A WORD ABOUT UNDERCLOTHING - the bikers, Brenda and I have distributed underwear to people in such serious need that they will gladly take anything just to have something clean to change into. However, we recommend to people not to bring used underclothes. Please bring only new items.
Our thinking on this is:
- Clothes that have been worn in direct contact with the genital areas and underarms are subject to body fluids that can be potentially hazardous to people's health.
- Many of us get involved with helping seriously needy people because it is our way of doing the Lord's work on earth. As such, we should be willing to give our best for the Kingdom of Christ, not just our rejects that we were going to discard anyway.