Outreach Bus Spreads Holiday Cheer to Communities in Need

A Day of Giving Back

Juan Roca spent his 52nd birthday doing exactly what he wanted — helping spread holiday cheer to those in need.

“I can celebrate with my family another day,” Roca said. “This is where I want to be. I’m needed here more.”

Roca, along with other volunteers of the Night Ministry, gathered Wednesday at the corner of 54th and Halsted in Back of the Yards to pass out warm meals, hot chocolate, and stockings full of goodies to unhoused community members.

The Night Ministry’s Outreach Bus

The Night Ministry, headquartered in Bucktown, provides support and services to unhoused community members. Roca, the manager of outreach operations, said he inherited his love for helping those in need from his mother, who used to pass out warm meals to the unhoused in Peru.

He started working for the Night Ministry in 2019 and said the work he’s been able to do has been “fulfilling.”

“I used to work in a church helping students, but I was stuck in an office,” Roca said. “I wanted to do more. I wanted to be out in the street helping those in need. I love getting to know the people in these communities.”

Holiday Stockings

The Night Ministry outreach bus makes weekly stops in several neighborhoods on the Lower West and South sides to hand out meals and provide other services. But during the holidays, the group makes their stops a little more special.

Every year, Night Ministry volunteers pass out stockings filled with hats, gloves, personal hygiene kits, and other necessary items as a gift to residents in need.

“During the holidays, we want to celebrate the season with the folks that we serve,” said Burke Patten, communications manager at the Night Ministry. “The stockings are a way to show folks that we care.”

A Chorus of Thanks

A chorus of “thank yous” and “Merry Christmases” were heard from the men, women, and kids who lined up to receive their gifts. Kids were also given small toys to take with them.

Conclusion

The Night Ministry’s outreach bus is a beacon of hope and kindness in the community, providing essential services and spreading holiday cheer to those in need. The volunteers’ selfless efforts are a reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life.

FAQs

Q: What is the Night Ministry’s outreach bus?
A: The Night Ministry’s outreach bus is a mobile service that provides support and services to unhoused community members.

Q: What kind of services does the outreach bus offer?
A: The outreach bus offers warm meals, hot chocolate, and other essential services to those in need.

Q: How often does the outreach bus make stops?
A: The outreach bus makes weekly stops in several neighborhoods on the Lower West and South sides.

Q: What is the purpose of the holiday stockings?
A: The holiday stockings are a way for the Night Ministry to show its appreciation and care for the community members it serves.