SALEM — Ten organizations met on June 6 at the First Presbyterian Church for a luncheon and to hear a speaker, Chrystal Echmann from the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, describe the incredible need of the homeless population in Mahoning County. She said that its facility in Youngstown is desperately inadequate. They are currently in a capital campaign to raise funds for a new building and have already acquired property.

Echmann also spoke of the need for practical items on a daily basis at the shelter. The nine churches plus one (First Friends, Canfield United Methodist, First Baptist of Salem, Salem First Presbyterian, Bunker Hill United Methodist, Salem United Methodist, Salem St. Paul Catholic, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Greenford Christian Church, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, and the Quilt Guild of Salem) had spent the prior couple of months collecting items to donate to the Rescue Mission and presented them to Echmann at the meeting.

Echmann also said that the Rescue Mission is in need of many items such as dry coffee creamer, umbrellas, disposable diapers, pillow cases, gift cards, sugar, paper towels, towels, wash cloths, disposable razors, shaving cream, aerosol deodorant, trash bags, liquid hand soap and batteries. The effort to collect the massive donation on June 6 was spearheaded by Church Women United of Salem.

Church Women United would like to continue the effort to provide these items to the Rescue Mission, so if any church or organization in Salem would like to be involved contact Penny Lippiatt of Church Women United at 330-533-6934.