x
Breaking News
More () »

Timon's Ministries needs help stocking its men's closet ahead of summer

'We've seen a lot of more people who aren't homeless, but you know they are struggling,' one official said. 'Everyone is struggling right now.'

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Richard Medrano lives in Flour Bluff, where he sees people who are homeless, and those who need help -- like him -- daily.

He said it can be easy to forget how to something as basic as hygiene, and clothes to choose from, can really lift someone's spirits.

"You know, you're wearing the same uniform or same outfit for at least a few days -- sweat drenched out -- but then you come in here (and they say) 'Hey, you need some clothes? We have a whole wardrobe,' " he said. "It's uplifting you look at yourself in the mirror, and you like yourself."

Timon's Ministries is a day resource center for those in need in the Coastal Bend and surrounding areas. They offer hot lunches, showers and even a clothing closet, which tends to run low on men's items.

"We struggle with that a lot," said Executive Director Olivia Casares.

The resource center is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 

She said the center receives a variety of women's clothing donations, but when it comes to men's options, the choices become limited.

"From the underwear to the shorts," Casares said. "The hot summer is coming up, so tank tops. We take whatever sizes you want to bring to us, but the majority is for smaller men."

Casares said that the heat and humidity is hard on the homeless, so Timon's has facilities for them to take a shower and get a fresh set of clothes.

"What I see a lot of is: They come in they take a shower," she said. "They don't keep a lot of (their old clothes). It's recycled. It's hard for the homeless to have their possessions and a change of clothing." 

According to Casares, they also offer laundry machines and the detergent to go with it for anyone in need during these long summer months.

"We've seen a lot of more people who aren't homeless, but you know they are struggling," she said. "Everyone is struggling right now."

For Medrano, having a resource such as Timon's was a gamechanger.

He said the organization has changed his life simply by having the doors open for him. He also believes it's about having your hand up, and not a handout.

"It's impacted me majorly," he said.

Before You Leave, Check This Out