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Neighborhood Heroes: Volunteers offer lunch, toys at the New Orleans Mission

This year marks the 5th anniversary of the holiday lunch and toy giveaway at the New Orleans Mission, the annual event that last year fed about 1,000 people and gave toys to hundreds of children who otherwise would not have had gifts come Christmas morning.

(NEW ORLEANS) — Tents, tattered covers and mattresses below the I-10 underpass are the all-to-familiar images of homelessness in New Orleans.

Many of those who walk through the doors at the New Orleans Mission during the holiday season, though, struggle in poverty in less commonly seen ways.

Many people are transient, sleeping on someone’s couch or in a car. Others may have a place of their own but are struggling to make ends meet.

As Christmas approaches, what should be the most wonderful time of the year can be an especially difficult period for those trying to get back on their feet.

It’s that challenge that makes New Orleans Mission volunteers like Marviani Ammari understand the importance of a hot meal.

“Reality hits,” Ammari said. “You see it on the street but when you come in here and feel it and talk with the folks and truly feel what they’ve gone through — it just makes you to realize that somebody has to be involved,” he said.

This year is the 5th anniversary of the holiday lunch and toy giveaway at the New Orleans Mission, the annual event that last year fed about 1,000 people and gave toys to hundreds of children who otherwise would not have had any gifts come Christmas morning.

Ammari is just one of many people at the Mission, volunteers who donate money and time to make sure those less fortunate have a good holiday season.

On any given night in the U.S. more than half a million people experience homelessness, according to the organization Endhomelessness.org.

In Louisiana, that number is more than 3,300 every night, including entire households from adults to children.

For volunteers like Tia Castellon, that number is what brings her back to help each December. “It’s heartbreaking. What can you say other than the fact that it happens, and it’s up to us, the people who can do something about it, to help in whatever capacity that may be?” Castellon said.

The Mission is currently accepting toy donations and volunteer hours for anyone interesting in lending a hand. More information is available on their website, http://www.neworleansmission.org

“At the end of the day, we come with nothing and we leave with nothing. You have to share,” Ammari said.

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