UP GiVE IT

Soupmobile

SERVES: Homeless men and women from East Dallas and greater Dallas

The SoupMobile is a faith-based, mobile soup kitchen based in Deep Ellum that provides food and shelter for Dallas-area homeless. Every year it serves more than 200,000 meals and shelters homeless people in its eight group homes. For 10 years, SoupMobile has been hosting an event called Celebrate Jesus, in which they take up to 500 homeless men, women and children off the streets and put them up in the downtown Dallas Omni Hotel for Christmas. During the event, the guests receive new clothes and gifts and are treated to a banquet.

VOLUNTEER: Be one of the more than 2,500 volunteers who will help at the Omni Hotel on Christmas. You can be a greeter, a server, a Christmas Angel who assists the guests throughout their stay at the Omni, a part of the set-up crew, a movie host, or one of the on-call nurses or doctors.

DONATE: Money, clothing, kitchenware, electronics, furniture, appliances or other high-quality items

CONTACT:

3017 Commerce St.

David Timothy, founder (SoupMan) david@soupmobile.org

1.800.375.5022 soupmobile.org

POVERTY & HOMELESSNESS

SERVES: The estimated 25,000-50,000 people in Dallas who suffer every year because they can’t afford a doctor-prescribed wheelchair, hospital bed or other medical equipment necessary for recovery from injury or illness and, ultimately, for independence

This East Dallas-based charity collects, sanitizes and refurbishes used medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, bedside commodes and mobility equipment, with the goal of relieving the pain and suffering of people with acute injury or illness. This is one of only two nonprofits in Texas that provide this service.

VOLUNTEER: Though DME employs profes- sionals, they could not operate without the help of volunteers. Those willing to donate time/expertise should register for the volunteer training course via the DME website.

GIVE: Each donated dollar goes directly toward refurbishing, sanitizing and distributing essential and life-enhancing equipment to individuals who qualify for the DME program. Give money online via a secure form, or mail a check to DME Exchange of Dallas at the post office box listed below.

Also, give by shopping at Kroger using the grocer’s customer loyalty card. If you have a Kroger Plus card, call 800.576.4377, visit kroger.com or customer service in the store, and request to link your Kroger Plus card with the DME identification number: 35161. Then, when you use the card at checkout, a portion of what you spend will benefit your chosen nonprofit.

Donate manual or powered wheelchairs, walkers, canes, bedside equipment, crutches or scooters. Call for help transporting heavy gear or deliver items to the office.

CONTACTS:

Betty Hersey, director, bherseydmeexchange@gmail.com

12015 Shiloh, Suite 130 or PO Box 25575, Dallas TX 75225-5575 dfwdmeexchange.org

Our Calling

SERVES: Homeless men and women from East Dallas and greater Dallas

Every week, Our Calling sends out search-and-rescue teams to offer food, water and other emergency supplies to the homeless individuals they encounter. The nonprofit is based in a 3,200-square-foot facility in East Dallas, which was designed to be a sort of “café for the homeless” because it provides a welcoming place for hundreds of men and women to gather during the day. The facility serves lunch every day and provides people with survival necessities such as clothing, blankets and hygiene items. Our Calling also has a washer and dryer, and a shower available for guests to use.

VOLUNTEER: There are volunteer opportunities available for groups or individuals. Our Calling is currently seeking mentors, hotline volunteers, recovered addicts and Bible study leaders.

GIVE: Our Calling is seeking coats, blankets, deodorant, hand sanitizer, men’s and women’s underwear, and men’s shoes in sizes 9 and up.

CONTACT:

500 S. Haskell 214.444.8796 ourcalling.org