Chaplaincy Morris County Correctional Facility Christmas Gift Bag Program
“I was in prison, and you visited and comforted me.” Mathew 25:36
The Chaplaincy Program of the Morris County Correctional Facility (MCCF) is a nonprofit organization that has been sponsored by our church for many years. It supplies the Chaplain for the Morris County Jail and provides services and ecumenical materials for study and spiritual guidance for the inmates and Corrections Officers. Part of what they do is supply a Christmas Gift Bag for each inmate that includes basic necessities such as underwear and toiletries.
Volunteers who work with the Chaplaincy Program, including members of our congregation, report these Gift Bags are a true highlight of the inmates’ lives in prison. The holidays are an especially difficult time for inmates and their families. In so many cases the inmates’ relationship with their families has deteriorated and there’s nobody visiting or talking to them. The Chaplain fulfills part of that role, but these little gifts can really brighten their lives by showing that there are people on the outside who care about them. And are rooting for them.
The Outreach Committee invites you to offer comfort to those in prison this holiday season by purchasing and donating the below necessary items for Christmas Gift Bags for each of the inmates. Please donate ONLY items on this list because jail security has approved only these items:
- Men’s white crew neck t-shirts (mostly large, XL, 2X, 3X) (NO pockets or V-neck style)
- Men’s white briefs (medium, large, 2X, 3X)
- Men’s white crew socks (all sizes with NO stripes)
- Women’s white briefs (all sizes)
- Women’s white sports bras (all sizes)
- Women’s white crew socks (all sizes)
- Toothpaste
- Conditioner, (neutral scents, no pumps)
- Lotion (neutral scents, no pumps)
- Deodorant (unscented or neutral scents)
- Bars of Soap (neutral scents, individually wrapped)
NO gift wrap – just plain, all-white clothing items in original packages!
The donation drive runs November 20 through December 11.
Items can be dropped off in marked bins at the Parish House Porch Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, or at Sunday service.
Would you like to help assemble Christmas Gift Bags? Gift Bag assembly will take place on Monday, December 12, at 9:00 am at the Calvary Baptist Church, 10 Martin Luther King Ave., Morristown, NJ.
Please email Dick Kaller at rwkaller@verizon.net. to sign up.
Program questions? Please contact Karen at kgriffith32@aol.com.
