This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Help the Homeless: Compassion Center Needs Time and Toiletries

Gilroyans have two opportunities to help our homeless this week. One of them is as simple as dropping off travel-sized shampoo and soap.

Even though the Gilroy Compassion Center hasn't been completed yet, it's hosting its first event for the homeless, the one-stop "Project Homeless Connect," on Wednesday, July 20.

"We are offering free barbecue, trying to get our homeless population to participate in a survey so we can better assess their needs," said volunteer Cherie Appleby. "We are really excited as this is our first event at the site where the shelter will be."

The is in the process of acquiring non-profit status and building permits, Appleby said. "We are moving ahead with the center quickly; all of us are looking forward to getting it up and running."

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Anyone who wants to volunteer for Wednesday's event is welcome, Appleby said. "We need volunteers for Wednesday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m." To volunteer, contact organizers by emailing gilroycompassioncenter@yahoo.com or get more information by friending the Gilroy Compassion Center on Facebook.

The event's organizers are also asking for donations of unopened travel-sized bottles of shampoo, bars of soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other personal hygiene items as well as clean socks and t-shirts. These can be dropped off at the site at 8425 Monterey Road on Monday, July 18, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. or on Wednesday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Don't have small bottles of shampoo and can't volunteer on Wednesday but still want to help our local homeless? Donations to Gilroy Compassion Center may be made out to the Gilroy Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 233, Gilroy, CA 95021. Please remember to write "Gilroy Compassion Center" in the memo line of your check.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?