When the cold weather comes, the homeless often feel it first.
Mission Texarkana provides a variety of services to the area's homeless, from meals, to supplies, to help with various logistical needs. The Rev. Cody Howard and his staff have been providing breakfast and lunch daily and more for years.
All are welcome and no identification is needed. "We work together with our local organizations and try not to duplicate anything," he said.
Janice Huddle, administrative assistant with Mission Texarkana for more than eight years, says observing the help her organization gives is a blessing in itself.
"I just love it," she said. "I love working with this population, this community. I like to see the change in some of them, going from homeless into getting into homes and jobs. It is remarkable to see people living under such difficulty, in some cases, for a long period of time. Yet, so many of them manage to maintain a positive outlook on life. Happy, content, grateful for what they do have."
Although COVID has affected them, they continue to help their clients. And this time of year, what they seek is rather obvious.
"We are in need of coats, gloves, toboggans, cold weather wear," said Janice. n