The Bethlehem Inn seeks donations

The Bethlehem Inn is in need of items to keep the homeless warm. When the shelter is at capacity and cannot accept residents due to fire code regulations, they try to provide sleeping bags and warm coats so they can survive the night.

No matter the season, the Bethlehem Inn does not stop giving. They give shelter, resources, and hope by providing a warm bed, hot shower, meals, and support to homeless adults and families in Central Oregon.

With the suicide rate of the homeless increasing through the holiday season, providing them with needed items will give them shelter through one of Bend’s coldest seasons.

This is the seventh year for the Bethlehem Inn Homeless Dinner and it’s bigger than ever. More local businesses are housing giving trees and urging the community to participate and transform lives.

Residents of Bend can collect toys, coats, sleeping bags, and more to the giving tree locations. The items will be collected and stored until Christmas Eve .

At the dinner, adults and families are served a traditional Christmas meal with hot turkey, sides, and dessert. Santa arrives for the children to call each one by name, give them toys and clothes, and take his picture with them.

Tree locations include Mother’s Cafe east and west sides, Silver Moon Brewing, Goodlife Brewery, Bend Urology, Sterling Savings Banks, Mothers Cafe, Blue Pine Kitchen and Bar.

Presents are donated by members of the community. Local business from all over Bend set up giving trees with names of the children from Bethlehem Inn written on ornaments. They include a child’s age, gender, and current needs/ Christmas wishes.

This year, the Bethlehem Inn Homeless Dinner will be hosted by the Shilo Inn Hotel in Bend. To be a part of Central Oregon’s solution to end homelessness, visit www.bethleheminn.org . Donations may also be mailed to Bethlehem Inn, P.O. Box 8540, Bend, OR 97708.

For more information about the Bethlehem Inn Homeless Dinner, please call Jeffery at 541-280-8997