The Salvation Army, after seeing its initial supply of 2,000 Help Cards distributed to businesses and the public in a matter of days, has made another 10,000 of the free referral cards available at the Biloxi Visitors Center, the Kroc Center in Biloxi, or The Salvation Army on 22nd Street in Gulfport.
The business-size cards, which were printed as a public service by Knight-Abbey Printing and Direct Mail of Biloxi, list locations for free meals and other assistance for needy individuals, and can be used by those who are approached by panhandlers.
“The Help Card serves as a tool, not a solution in itself,” said Maj. Bradley Caldwell of the Army’s Gulf Coast Area Command. “Those who face a need can consult agencies listed on the Card for assistance and guidance, which impacts their futures far more than a couple of dollars in hand on the side of the road.â€
Added Maj. Anita Caldwell: “People are excited that the Help Card is generating fresh conversation about how best to impact the Gulf Coast’s socially displaced population.â€
Businesses are encouraged to distgribute the Help Cards to their customers.
The free cards are available at the Biloxi Visitors Center, on U.S. 90 north of the Biloxi Lighthouse; the Kroc Center, at the corner of Lee and Division streets in East Biloxi, or The Salvation Army, 2019 22nd St., Gulfport.
The agencies listed on the cards:
The Lord is My Help, 1205 Desoto St., Ocean Springs. Meals: weekdays 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Seashore Mission, 856 Division St., Biloxi. Meals: Sunday 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday and Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Our Lady of Fatima St. Vincent de Paul, 314 Jim Money Road, Biloxi. Homeless assistance: Monday and Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Loaves & Fishes, 610 Water St., Biloxi. Meals: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Salvation Army, 2019 22nd St., Gulfport. Shower, laundry and snack packs: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Video: See the story behind the Help Card
News & notes: Kids fire academy, podcast, council
Kids fire academy: The Biloxi Fire Department’s Fire Academy for Kids, taking place in June, still has a few spots available. For more information, click here.
City Desk: Bill Raymond, historical administrator for the City of Biloxi, guests on this week’s City Desk podcast and talks about The Gulf Coast Historical and Cultural Exposition and Preservation in May. To listen to the program, click here.
Council videos: Members of the Biloxi City Council faced a host of issues, including short-term rentals, during two meetings this week at Biloxi City Hall. To see the recording of the special called meeting, click here. To see the recording of the regularly scheduled meeting, click here.
