DONATION OFFERS COMFORT IN A TIME OF NEED

( ATKINSON , NH ) – More than two dozen bedspreads are helping keep guests of the Lazarus House a bit more comfortable these days. Atkinson Resort & Country Club donated 19 queen size and eight king size bedspreads from its Fieldstone Suites to the homeless shelter in Lawrence , MA . Lazarus House, which first opened its doors in 1983, provides a continuum of services to people who are in dire need of life's most basic necessities. The donation was made this spring, shortly before the Lazarus House was devastated by the May floods.

The rains of May and the flooding of the nearby Spickett River completely destroyed the Lazarus House Food Pantry and approximately 10 tons of food that was located in its shelter. The entire basement of the shelter was flooded with 12 feet of water, damaging not only the food pantry, but also the electrical, heating, air conditioning and phone systems; two hot water heaters; two industrial washers and dryers; a walk-in refrigerator and freezer; conveyor belt; cleaning, paper and personal care products; and food storage shelving. Food that was stored in the Soup Kitchen's refrigerators and freezers was also lost and many clothing items were damaged in the basement's sorting area.

“Lazarus House provides vital services for some of the neediest members of our community,” says Christine Lewis-Morse, general manager of the Atkinson Resort & Country Club. “We are pleased to help support the Lazarus House, especially as they cope with the devastating effects of the spring flooding.”

Lazarus House Ministries, Inc. provides a continuum of care encompassing, but not limited to: food, shelter, clothing, advocacy, job training, free medical and dental care, a listening ear, a welcoming heart, the restoration of dignity and self respect to the poor and needy. Guests are empowered to move beyond poverty and crisis to become productive members of their community. Lazarus House helps the homeless and nearly homeless by providing hot meals, temporary shelter, job training, childcare, emergency food, clothing, outreach and advocacy. To make a donation, please contact www.lazarushouse.org.

Lazarus House Facts:

• Feeds up to 175 people a day at its Good Shepherd Center
• Provides services to over 8,000 people a month
• Distributes over 2,000 boxes of food for needy families during the holiday season
• Provides a free medical and dental clinic
• Utilizes the services of over 1,500 volunteer hours each week