This week, Fr. Michael Jones speaks about the Franciscan Outreach Ministry, Clean Start, in Anderson, South Carolina. Much like in the Nativity Story, in which Mary and Joseph find refuge at the stable, many Anderson residents find shelter and comfort at Clean Start.

Our Friars and volunteers serve an average of 100 clients a week, providing those living on the streets with laundering services, clean showers, hygiene supplies, and new or gently used clothing. They do up to 24 loads of laundry each week and even offer haircuts to improve all their guests’ self-image, confidence, and cleanliness.

In the Nativity Story, the innkeeper could not provide a room for Mary and Joseph, but he humbly offers them the stable as a shelter before the birth of Christ. At Clean Start, our Friars always provide the homeless and struggling a place to refresh and begin again. Clean Start is staffed entirely by volunteers, but their continued service to the homeless is dependent on your support. Please don’t turn away! Instead, turn here and click to support Clean Start today.

God Bless,

Fr. David Convertino, OFM
Executive Director, FriarWorks