HOLIDAY HELPERS in South Mississippi

CAMPERS' CHRISTMAS

Shepherd of the Gulf presents is seeking community support to make gift bags for South Mississippi homeless people, to be distributed at 1 p.m. Dec. 20 at Hiller Park, Biloxi.

Suggested items are gloves, wool/knit caps, socks, cologne gift sets for men, perfume sets for women, candies, cookies, flashlights, batteries, cordless shavers with batteries, month city bus passes, cans of nuts, fresh fruits, packaged food gifts (e.g., crackers, sausages), gift cards from local fast-food restaurants. Please attach a note on outside of gift stating for male or female camper and list contents. Gifts of food and toys for dogs and cats or handmade Christmas cards also are welcomed. Drop off donations at Liberty Coffee House, 1270 28th St., from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Details: 871-7000.

Tax-deductible monetary donations can be made to Shepherd of the Gulf at any Hancock Bank, or mail to Shepherd of the Gulf, P.O. Box 1000, Gulfport MS 39501.

Details: 229-8980, 249-2339 or 954-695-5764.

TOY DRIVES

R.O.C.K. (Resilience of Coastal Kids) Foundation: Donations being accepted for foster children in Harrison and Hancock counties. Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any Keesler Federal Credit Union branch or the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, 842 Commerce St., Gulfport. Details: 861-0007.

Shaggy's Biloxi Beach and Shaggy's Pass Harbor annual toy drive: New, unwrapped toys will be collected through Dec. 22 at both locations. With a toy donation or a donation of $5 or more, guests will receive 10 percent off their food purchase. All toys collected will be donated to The Salvation Army.

BELL RINGERS NEEDED

The Salvation Army's 2015 Red Kettle Campaign runs through Christmas Eve and volunteers are being sought to staff the kettle and ring bells across South Mississippi. Hours are generally 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but are flexible.

To participate, call 207-2303 or email zach_rhodes@uss.salvationarmy.org.

CHRISTMAS MEALS

Gulf Coast Public Safety Feed the Needy: The program has begun its 2015 campaign to deliver hot meals to those in need on Christmas Day. This will be the 26th year for the program, which provides about 5,000 meals a year during holiday times. The program is funded entirely by donations.

To order a meal, call one of the sponsoring agencies: Biloxi Police Department, 385-3033; D'Iberville Police Department, 396-4252; Gulfport Police Department, 868-5703; Gulfport Fire Department, 868-5950; Harrison County Sheriff's Department, 896-0606; Long Beach Police Department, 865-1981; and Pass Christian Police Department, 452-3302. To make a donation, call Lt. Mike Shaw at 868-5703, or mail monetary donations to Gulf Coast Law Enforcement Feed the Needy, Attn: Lt. Mike Shaw, 2220 15th St., Gulfport, MS 39501.

Volunteers wishing to help package and deliver meals can report to Lyman Community Center, 13472 U.S. 49, Gulfport, at 8 a.m. Christmas morning. Deliveries will begin at 9 a.m.

Christmas Eve ham giveaway: Interested applicants can go the Comfort Suites at 9121 U.S. 49 in Gulfport to register for a ham giveaway for 25 people, set for noon on Christmas Eve in the hotel's lobby. Sponsored by the Courtside Cuties of Harrison Central High School and the general manager of Comfort Suites. Deadline to register is noon Dec. 23. Details: 678-9001.

Gulf Coast Rescue Mission: Annual Christmas meal will be served from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 25 at 2750 Mission Lane, Biloxi, off DeBuys Road. Takeout meals available. Volunteers welcomed. Details: 388-3884 or 388-6364.

Feed My Sheep: Christmas lunch for the homeless and needy will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 24 at 2615 19th St., Gulfport. The soup kitchen will be closed Christmas Day.

To add to this list, send information to mynews@sunherald.com

This story was originally published December 19, 2015 at 9:32 PM with the headline "HOLIDAY HELPERS in South Mississippi ."