Helping Our Local Shelters This Holiday Season ❤️✨
As we get closer to the holidays, my mind and heart naturally turn toward those in our community who are struggling. For many, this season brings joy, celebration, and family gatherings — but for others, it can be an especially difficult time marked by loneliness, instability, and need. Our local shelters, Sally’s House for women and children and the Men’s Shelter at the Salvation Army, work tirelessly all year long. But the Christmas season is always their busiest. More people seek warmth, safety, and support, and the demand for basic supplies grows quickly.
To help raise awareness and support both shelters, I’m sharing their current list of most-needed essentials.
These are simple, everyday items — things we often take for granted — but they make an enormous difference for someone trying to get back on their feet.
* Shampoo
* Conditioner
* Razors
* Hot chocolate
* Tea bags
* Honey
* Coffee
* Bottled water
* Socks
* Mittens
* Hats
*Hygiene Products
These donations directly support women, children, and men who rely on the shelters for warmth, hygiene, comfort, and care.If you’re local and able to help in any way, it would be so appreciated — not just by the staff and monitors, but by every person who receives these small acts of kindness. Every bottle of shampoo, every warm pair of socks, every cup of tea matters.Thank you all for any help you can give this holiday season. Together, we can make it a little brighter for those who need it most.
If you are experiencing homelessness and you would like to be assessed for available housing options in the Heart of Texas region, please call Heart to Home Coordinated Entry at 254-297-8929, or go to an access point to be assessed. Full resource page here: https://www.mclennan.gov/1190/Community-Resources
Debbie Wright is a Waco-based creative entrepreneur, digital storyteller, and community advocate dedicated to elevating local voices and arts culture. As the Digital Media Specialist for WACOAN Magazine and host of the Know Waco podcast, she spotlights the people, places, and stories that make Central Texas vibrant. Debbie is also the founder of Cultivate Waco, a mobile arts initiative bringing pop-up galleries, community events, and creative experiences to neighborhoods across the city. With a background in marketing, curation, and multimedia content creation, she blends her love for travel, art, and community connection into every project she touches.