DENVER (KDVR) — Individuals experiencing homelessness in Denver got here collectively Saturday for a community-wide occasion in honor of the Thanksgiving vacation.
The occasion was from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Denver Metropolis Corridor. It’s the primary time organizers with David Clifton Ministries have hosted the occasion for the reason that pandemic.
The return of the occasion marked its twenty eighth yr. About 1,000 folks confirmed up.
Denver Metropolis and County officers truly reached out to the earlier outreach organizer, David Clifton, encouraging his group to carry the occasion once more.
Volunteers from native church buildings and companies have been out giving meals packing containers and clothes objects, and offering free haircuts and bike repairs. Plus, there was dwell music all of the whereas.
In accordance with the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, the quantity of people that turned homeless in metro Denver for the primary time rose to nearly 4,000 folks in 2023.
It’s an almost 52% improve from final yr.
Pastor David Clifton, who has led the outreach for greater than 20 years, says it’s essential for him to present again as a result of he was as soon as homeless.
He stated he made a promise to God that if he was helped in his time of want, he would return the favor.
“There may be nothing that blesses me greater than once I see a necessity met for a human being,” he stated. “Somebody who wants a scorching meal, a jacket, somebody who wants consolation, somebody who’s struggling. For me to have the ability to assist blesses me past measure.”
David Lyons was homeless three years in the past. He comes again to volunteer on the outreach that when helped him.
“It’s higher than Christmas. It’s a time to volunteer it’s a time to present and it’s a time to recollect how dangerous it might be,” Lyons stated. “No person ought to ever should be hungry.”
Previously, organizers say the occasion introduced out greater than 2,000 folks.
They are saying that quantity may double subsequent yr when the phrase will get out they’re again internet hosting.
Organizers advised FOX31 that they at all times want extra volunteers and donations. If you want to assist you are able to do so on their web site.
