Unhoused St. Louisans receive 'bundles of hope' on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

ST. LOUIS – On Christmas Eve, the spirit of giving is alive in downtown St. Louis, as the New Life Evangelistic Center ensures that those without shelter are not forgotten this holiday season. Volunteers spent the day distributing what are colloquially called “bundles of hope": backpacks filled with survival essentials.

"Anybody that needs sleeping bags, tent, backpack filled with hygiene items, gloves, hats, socks, blankets, food—just gifts!” Larry Rice, NLEC director, said. “We're going to the people that have to sleep outside and the people that are hurting. We're bringing them Christmas, because that what we know Jesus is.”

Several people stopped by to receive these life-saving items, with many expressing thanks for the support.

"It seems like the homeless population is steadily increasing but Mr. Rice is doing a great deal for everybody out here,” Johnny Carter, an unhoused St. Louisan, said. “We're all grateful and we'll have a very blessed, happy holidays due to him.”

Volunteers from places like Greater Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Lebanon, Illinois, joined to spread holiday cheer.

"It's another part of outreaching and just giving back. Another service that God wants us to do," Valerie Clark, a volunteer from Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, said.

The outreach did not end there. Rice and volunteers will return on Christmas morning at 10 a.m. at 1411 Locust Street to continue giving out the bundles. All are welcome to volunteer.

As homelessness continues to grow in St. Louis, with over 2,000 people self-identifying as unhoused in 2024, Rice believes efforts like this have brought much-needed hope during the holidays.