· Howard Young · blog · 3 min read
Simple Necessities: TCLC and Wiregrass 211
A towel, a bar of soap, a toothbrush — sometimes the simplest things mean the most. TCLC's partnership with Wiregrass 211 is putting those necessities into the hands of neighbors in need.
Last Sunday, Sissy Gifford shared a story during announcements that stopped the room. Marc Cronin had stopped by the Southeast Synod WELCA meeting on Saturday and told the women something they may not have expected to hear back.
During the week of subfreezing temperatures this past winter, people who had been living on the streets made their way to warming centers across the Wiregrass. One visitor — settling in from the cold — looked around and asked a simple question: “Are these the hygiene kits?”
They knew about the kits. They had been waiting for them.
What Goes Into a Hygiene Kit
The kits our WELCA women put together are not complicated. Each one contains:
- A towel
- A washcloth
- A bar of soap
- A comb
- Toothpaste
- A toothbrush
That is it. And yet for someone who has spent days without shelter, those simple necessities carry an enormous weight — dignity, care, and the knowledge that someone thought of them.
What Is Wiregrass 211?
Wiregrass 211 is a free, community-powered service that connects people across the Wiregrass area to vital health and human resources. It is one of those organizations that most people have never needed — until suddenly they do.
Anyone in the area can:
- Dial 2-1-1 to speak with someone who can help
- Text their zip code to 898-211 to find local resources by phone
Through those two simple actions, Wiregrass 211 connects callers and texters to a network of more than 900 organizations offering everything from food assistance and housing support to workforce development and caregiver programs. To date, the organization has answered over 286,000 contacts and provided nearly 473,000 referrals to people in need — right here in our community.
Their office is located at 567 West Main Street in Dothan, just a short drive from our church.
Our Part
Providing hygiene kits to Wiregrass 211 is one of the ways Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church extends its ministry beyond our walls. This is not a large or expensive program. It does not require a committee or a budget line. It requires people — people who are willing to gather a few basic items, pack them with care, and trust that they will find their way to someone who needs them.
They do.
If you would like to contribute hygiene kit supplies or learn more about how our congregation partners with Wiregrass 211, speak with any member of our WELCA chapter or ask after Sunday worship.
Wiregrass 211 is just one of our community outreach programs. We are grateful for every organization in this area that does the work of loving our neighbors.
