HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – Volunteers are giving kids a warm and secure place to lay their heads at night if they don’t have one.
The Henry County Food Pantry began serving people 20 years ago. It helps around 3,000 people per month. But the need goes much further than food.
This year, volunteers with the Food Pantry started a program called Bedtime Blessings after noticing a large need for beds for children in the area.
“It’s really a lot more common than what I ever thought it was,” said Sharon Mills, Henry County Food Pantry Site Director. “Children entering foster care, domestic violence situations, families that have been homeless and finally getting into an apartment are a few of the examples of why children would need to have a bed.”
Through the program, they have given beds to 15 children in need since January. They purchase brand new box mattresses and bed frames through donations that can easily fit in cars and be delivered by volunteers.
“If you get a good night’s rest, you wake up rejuvenated and ready to take on the day,” said Samantha Pruitt, Care Portal Ambassador. “Without that, I think that’s just going to create issues for youth, starting from the morning throughout the whole day. It’s very important that every child has their own bed to sleep in.”
In addition to getting a bed frame and mattress, the kids are also given sheets, comforters, pillows, and even books to read.
Referrals are made by community partners like social services, the local school system and first responders.
“Providing a bed is just one step in showing how much they are loved and cared for by the entire community. We are all coming together to champion around these children, to be able to help them feel loved when a lot of things are very bleak for them at the moment,” added Mills.
To donate to the Bedtime Blessings program, visit the Henry County Food Pantry Facebook page.
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