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House of Bread in need of hats, gloves

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By Kelli Wynn, Staff Writer 8:26 PM Saturday, November 28, 2009

DAYTON— While you are out shopping for deals on items to purchase for loved ones this Christmas, you may want to add the guests of the House of Bread to your gift list.

“Right now we are low on hats and gloves for adults,” said Melodie Bennett, House of Bread’s executive director.

To get an idea of how great the need is, the not-for-profit community kitchen, located at 9 Orth Ave., serves an average of 240 individuals a day, including children, Bennett said.

“We could always use personal hygiene products. Everybody requests deodorant,” Bennett said.

Oh, and money isn’t a bad gift.

“We’ve seen a slight decrease in financial donations and we’re hoping to turn that around in December,” Bennett said.

Besides issuing out winter accessories and personal hygiene items, House of Bread is mostly known for serving hot meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday through Saturday.

“We’re trying to determine if we can financially sustain being open on Sundays,” Bennett said.

Guests can also get help with medical, housing, clothing pantry, and food pantry referrals.

Meantime, food left over from Thursday’s A Feast of Giving event is apparently a gift that keeps on giving for the staff and guests of the House of Bread.

The donated food from the Feast “allows us to stretch our resources, to last throughout the winter months,” Bennett said.

Not only was the leftover food used to feed the 200 plus guests that came to the community kitchen on Friday and Saturday, but the donated food will also allow the House of Bread to save their frozen Thanksgiving turkeys for the annual Mayor’s Dinner for the Homeless, Bennett said.

The Mayor’s event will be held Dec. 15 at the House of Bread, which is located near West Riverview Avenue, next to McKinley Park. Time and other details will be announced in the near future.

Bennett said one of the Feast’s chefs told her that Thursday’s event fed at least 5,000 people. On Thanksgiving Day, Dean Ditmer, general manager of ABC22/FOX45, said that the event fed at least 3,000 people.

The leftover food included at least 20 pans of turkey meat and enough mash potatoes, dressing and green beans to keep House of Bread well-stocked into the week beginning Sunday, Nov. 29, Bennett said.

Those wanting more information on volunteering or making donations, can call the House of Bread office at (937) 226-1520 or visit www.houseofbread.org.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kwynn@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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