On Friday, February 7, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania and Lourdes University kick off the 14th annual “Have a Heart Restock Drive” to supply personal care items to area outreach pantries including Helping Hands of St. Louis, Our Lady of Lourdes Outreach Soup Kitchen, Bethany House and Sylvania Area Family Services.
Individuals are encouraged to donate unused personal care items in donation boxes stationed inside stores on Main Street in Sylvania, Lourdes University, Rosary Care Center, Sophia Center, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania campus and the Franciscan Center. The QR code shown makes it easy to send donations online. Several local businesses in Sylvania have agreed to host a box. Donated items will be sent to the Sisters and sorted by the Lourdes University women’s softball team on Monday, February 17.
“This is the 14th year the Sisters and Lourdes University have sponsored this drive,” says Sister Barb Vano. “It’s an ideal time since agency shelves are at a low point after Christmas, and with Valentine’s Day approaching, this is a great reminder to ‘have a heart’ for our neighbor.”
“All personal care items are in high demand because individuals cannot purchase them with SNAP. All donations of unused personal care items go directly to the agencies and those they serve,” says Jeni Belt, chief operating officer for the Sylvania Franciscans.
The drive runs from February 7 through 14. On Monday, February 17, at 1 p.m., Lourdes University women’s softball team will meet in the Franciscan Center to sort through the generous donations of personal care items and package them for the agency shelves.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Reiter at ereiter@sistersosf.org, 419824-3667.
