On the coldest day of the winter so far, homeless people in downtown Brownsville who count on getting a hot meal and perhaps a coat from the Good Will Settlement House were met by locked gates.The cold weather is blamed for closing this refuge of the many homeless, hungry men and women who live on the streets for any number of reasons.
Only the intervention of the staff at the Ozanam Center, in far off 656 N. Minnesota Avenue provided any type of assistance, with their vans picking up the cold and homeless during the night and early morning to give them a warm place to fend off the frigid weather.
Volunteers with OP 10.33 also helped, they reported.
So where's the are the Red Cross, the Goodwill Industries, and the other charity industries that Brownsville residents fund through their taxes and donations throughout the year?
This morning, the Ozanam Center depleted its store of winter coats distributing them to the homeless. Neither the Brownsville or Cameron County emergency coordinator offices were top be seen downtown today.
Meanwhile, we are learning that the staff at the Gladys porter Zoo are taking every precaution to keep the animals warm, the volunteers are venturing out in the cold to help Brown Pelicans at the Bahia Grande, but human beings are left at the mercy of the elements.
The staff at Ozanam has said it is in desperate needs of coats and blankets for these downtown Brownsville residents and other needy people. Donors can drop them off at the Ozanam Center (956) 831-6331, and San Felipe de Jesus Catholic Church (956) 982-2007, at 2215 Rancho Viejo Ave.(Cameron Park).
Monetary donations are also being accepted. Winter is not over yet and cold temperatures are expected to continue for the rest of the week. If you can pitch in, please help.