Local Businesses Spreading Holiday Cheer To HCWC’s Shelter Families

This is the third year that local restaurants will donate warm delicious meals for families currently staying at HCWC’s 24-hour emergency family violence shelter. Last year, one of the shelter residents shared how much she appreciated being thought of during the holidays. Some of the children staying at the shelter at the time also let everyone know how excited they were to have Chick-Fil-A and how much they especially loved the waffle fries.

HCWC’s Shelter Program Director, Bethany Kulp states, “Victims of domestic violence are often referred to as the “hidden homeless” in our society. Many people don’t realize that domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness, especially for women and children. More often than not, victims must leave their homes to escape abuse, and for many a shelter serves as their only home during the transition. For this holiday season, the families who live at the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center will be celebrating Christmas away from home, uncertain of where the future will take them.”

Thanks to the generosity of local community volunteers who have spearheaded this effort with several local businesses, the families living at the HCWC shelter will be served several nights of Christmas dinner this year. It is this kind of community support that shows those who are hurting the most that they are not alone, and that the spirit of the holidays, the spirit of hope, is for everyone.

The Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center has a 38-year history of serving women, men, and children in Hays and Caldwell Counties who are victims of family violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. All HCWC services are free and confidential. For more information please visit www.hcwc.org or call (512) 396-HELP.