Poverello House and the homeless thank you

THANK YOU FOR JOURNEYING WITH US THROUGH 2020
 
At 67 years of age, I am from the generation that often gets left behind by all the technological changes that happen year after year.  For example, although I am reprimanded by some friends and family, I don't have a smart phone.  And I am frustrated at times, when corporations seem to want to require, or assume that I have one, when filling out forms or trying to communicate with them.
 
For short and long term planning, I use an annual wall calendar.  With one look at the wall I can see what days and months I have open on the calendar.  The other day I purchased a 2021 wall calendar and put it up on the wall of the office that Br. Hajime and I share here in our friary in Elfrida, AZ.  Except for a couple of doctor's appointments, it is empty and I ponder: What does 2021 have in store for us?  
With the development of a  vaccine, there is some hope that regular travel and visits can occur by the summer, but until then it looks like we'll be covering our faces with masks, keeping social distance and limiting our travel, especially in confined public places like airplanes. 
 
I serve on the Board of Directors of Poverello House with seven other dedicated, creative, capable board members who are all very active in the day-to-day work of the house.  We have two dedicated live-in staff members, Gary and Bill, on our team.  And there are many other volunteers who cook meals, help with checking temperatures of the guests when they come in, etc.  Considering we're in the midst of a major pandemic, it has been an honor to join  with these supporters in our effort to offer some services to our regular homeless guests.  
 
Even though our hours have been shortened and our services limited, we were able to re-open in late August 2020, after having to close down at the end of March.  In order to re-open, we had to build an outdoor shower, purchase some pop up tents for shade, and buy extra tables and chairs so we could serve folks outside.  The coronavirus prevents us from allowing guests inside our
houses.  In addition to keeping open five hours a day, five days a week, we have been able to extend our hours Thanksgiving week, each day with a full traditional Thanksgiving meal.  And we are already contemplating what we can do extra for the week of Christmas.
 
Thank you for your support during this challenging year for all of us, but especially for our friends on the street.  Please consider a donation to help us as we continue to strive to deal with the corona virus and to assure that Poverello House continues to meet the needs of our homeless brothers in whatever 2021 holds in store for us.