Nonprofit hopes Easter event helps residents cope with pandemic struggles
Easter #Easter
West Houston Assistant Ministries has seen historic demand for help after the coronavirus pandemic caused economic distress for many families in the area. That’s why the non-profit decided to do something special for Easter this year.
Through tears and smiles, the ministry donated hundreds of Easter baskets filled with healthy snacks, gift cards, toiletries and school supplies to children in need on March 30 to ease some of the burden the COVID-19 pandemic created.
Normally, WHAM donates around 80 Easter baskets, but the need was so great this year that volunteers gave away almost 300 baskets. They also had an Easter Bunny greet children at their cars.
“The smiles that those kids had on their faces were priceless,” said Lisa Iparrea, WHAM’s Director of Client Services. “They needed it considering the year that they’ve had, being at home and all the restrictions and all the rules we’ve had to follow.”
“It’s been a tough year on our families that have needed our systems and our help, and we’re just happy to provide some hope to them today,” said Iparrea.
This year’s Easter baskets were put together by a group that includes, the Village Republican Women in addition to area supporting churches and schools, and included gift cards to Chick-Fil-A.
WHAM found the families in need through the database Apricot before partnering with Houston and Alief ISDs to send out notices to area apartment communities about the drive-through distribution site.
“All of us here at WHAM, even our employees, we’ve been non-stop since the pandemic,” said Iparrea. “One thing that we love doing here is giving our families hope. Even though we can’t physically embrace them, giving them hope in a basket full of love and goodies and things just to put smiles on their faces, for us that was really important this year, especially during Easter.”
During COVID-19, WHAM has helped over 139,000 individuals as they seek to rebound from layoffs, furloughs, and business closures, according to the non-profit. For more information about WHAM, go to whamministries.org.
ryan.nickerson@hcnonline.com