HOAM volunteers gather to brighten holidays for others

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HOAM volunteers at the annual "Christmas on the Corner" packing party.

POUGHKEEPSIE – Dozens of Hope On A Mission (HOAM) volunteers gathered Wednesday night to assemble holiday gift bags for the less fortunate.  Poughkeepsie-based HOAM is a street outreach ministry seeking to restore dignity, with love and grace, to homeless, addicted women (and men) in the streets of Poughkeepsie and beyond, according to founder Cara Mia Bacchiochi.

At HOAM’s annual “Christmas on the Corner” packing party, volunteers filled approximately 250 bags resembling a Santa suit with donated items.  Each bag will have a scarf, hat, pair of gloves, snack, toiletries, and other small items, Bacchiochi explained.

Every Saturday throughout the year, HOAM volunteers serve “Breakfast on the Corner” for the homeless population and those suffering from addiction.  The meal is served at the intersection of Main and South Clinton Streets from 8:30 am. to 9:30 a.m.

On Saturday evenings, regardless of the weather, HOAM hosts “Saturday Night Outreach” at the same Main and South Clinton Streets location.  Between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., the organization provides a hot meal, clothing, and other items to people in need.

Bacchiochi explained that this year, Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday and the volunteers will be distributing the Santa bags along with hot meals from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at an extended “Saturday Night Outreach”.

HOAM’s Donation Coordinator, Kim Green, noted that donations provide women and men with a meal or clean, dry clothing upon request, around the clock, every day of the year. Additional monies go toward HOAM’s daily operations, as well as toward its long-term goal of creating a space of refuge for women affected by homelessness and addiction.  Interested donors can learn more by clicking here.




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