January 2024 Standard News article

By Gaylee Harris, Montgomery City Public Library Director

We, at the Montgomery City Public Library, hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.  Many of us are blessed with what we need.  However, there are times when things get tough.  We all have struggled at some point in our lives.  A little help can provide hope and lessen the load during a difficult time. 

The Montgomery City Public Library collaborates with A Touch of Hope organization to provide free Care Kits for women, men, and children.  A Touch of Hope is a 6-year-old non-profit organization out of Hermann, Missouri.  Its mission is to “give comfort in times of need with compassion, dignity, and even a little bit of style.”  By providing a reusable bag filled with essentials, this meets a person’s “…immediate needs and provides a glimmer of hope.” 

If you would like a Care Kit, please come to the library and ask for a Care Kit from the friendly librarian behind the desk.  We do ask that you get only the kit(s) you need for yourself or immediate family.  We have limited supplies and it is on a first come, first served basis.

Would you like to help with this important mission?  This program cannot make a difference in the lives of our community members without YOUR help!  The Montgomery City Public Library is taking donations throughout January for items that go into the Care Kits.  Monetary or item donations are accepted.  Please make checks out to A Touch of Hope. 

Care Kit items to donate include the following (new and unopened):

Tampons/Pads        Panty Liners        Kleenex Packs

Toothbrush              Toothpaste           Floss

Combs                    Brushes                Hair Ties

Chapstick                Deodorant            Emery Boards

Nail Clippers           Q-Tips                   Pens/Pencils

Shampoo                Conditioner           Hair Products

Body Wash             Razors                  Lotions

Anti-bacterial gel     Sunglasses          Sunscreen

Gloves                     Small pads of paper

A Touch of Hope also has a Purse Project for those who left an abusive relationship.  Many leaving an abusive relationship do so very quickly and might leave things behind.  The Purse Project’s goal is to “give hope by providing a purse or reusable bag filled with essentials and love to those women, girls, and anyone who has bravely escaped abuse in search of a better way of life.” You can donate new and gently used purses at the Montgomery City Public Library during January.

For more information, please go to A Touch of Hope’s website at https://www.tohpurseproject.com/

If you would like to volunteer or help A Touch of Hope, please call (636) 283-8699.