Southeast Fort Wayne gives back

With the holidays in full swing, people on the southeast side of Fort Wayne are finding ways to give back to their community and make a statement.

“I think lot of time people look at communities that are underserved and think of us as recipients of charity,” says Mount Vernon Park resident Réna Bradley. “Part of the goal is to flip that story on its head, and show that southeast has the desire to give things to others.”

As Community Development Coordinator at the nonprofit Bridge of Grace Compassionate Ministries Center, Bradley is coordinating the second annual Holiday Giveback. Each year, it offers residents of the Mount Vernon Park neighborhood and surrounding communities opportunities to donate or make gifts for the homeless of Fort Wayne.

Last year, the Giveback brought out about 60 residents who made fleece blankets, hats, and scarves for the Rescue Mission during a night of food, music, and bonding.

Bradley says this year’s event promises to be even bigger, since Bridge of Grace is partnering with the Mount Vernon Park neighborhood association for its annual pie cook-off, and members of Many Nations Church are bringing potluck-style dishes to share, as well.

While admission is free, attendees are encouraged to bring gloves, socks, hand warmers, and canned goods to donate. For every five items they bring, they will be entered into a raffle for a $25 Kroger gift card.

Even so, Bradley says that part of the beauty of the Giveback is that residents don’t have to give money or food. They can simply donate their time by making fleece goods and foster the spirit of giving as a community.

The event is open to the public from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 20 at 5100 Gaywood Drive. AJ Zaldivar, Education Programs Manager at Bridge of Grace, will be performing Christmas carols. Fleece was donated by Britton Marketing & Design group, as well as a local family, with additional support from Kroger and Fresh Thyme Farmers Market.

Bradley says all of the items made and collected at the Giveback will be donated to an organization called Street Reach for the Homeless, which will deliver items directly to people on the streets of Fort Wayne within the week, just in time for the holidays.

Another southeast business, King’s Barber Shop at 502 E. Pontiac St., is giving residents an alternative way to give back.

The owner, Lewis A. King, is collecting laundry baskets full of food for people in need of a holiday meal as part of his King’s Barbershop Community Outreach program.

As a barber in the area for about 25 years, he’s seen people from all walks of life come through his doors, and he wants to spend more time ministering to them, so he’s attending Concordia Theological Seminary to become a pastor.

King’s outreach program began with a Sunday afternoon Bible study he started at his shop six years ago. Then five years ago, his Bible study started collecting food baskets to donate to people in need each holiday season.

This year, they’ve collected 300 baskets to the point that King no longer has room in his barber shop to shave. But he’s not complaining.

Working with businesses and individuals, he looks forward to giving the baskets to local people and service agencies who need them most during the holiday season and spreading some cheer.

“It brings joy,” King says. “I’ve had people come in and say they didn’t even know where their meal was going to come from for Christmas. The joy that you can bring to them is amazing.”