It was four years ago, after helping a couple living out of their car in Anthem, that Vineyard Church @ Anthem

began the Thanksgiving tradition of collecting blankets and distributing them to the homeless. In three years, more than 300 blankets along with Bibles and water bottles, were distributed in downtown Phoenix. 

Blankets may be dropped off until Nov. 15 at the following Anthem locations:

·                      Anthem Community Center (drop blankets off at the main desk)

·                      Ace Hardware, 3440 W. Anthem Way

·                      Walgreens, 41125 N. Daisy Mountain Drive

·                      VCA Church House, 42028 N. 44th Drive (during the week)

·                      Vineyard Church @ Anthem, 42105 N. 41st Drive (on Sunday mornings).

“People were leaving food lines and running to us,”Anthem resident Debbie Navarrette,

said. “It was so heart‑wrenching to send some of them away empty‑handed. But we do more than just hand out blankets.

We spend time listening to their stories, looking into the eyes of each individual and praying for them. Some are war veterans; some mentally ill; some caught in the grips of alcohol or drug addiction; some just down on their luck. They have names and families and a need to be loved.”

Monetary donations are also welcome and are tax deductible.

For more information or to help with the blanket distribution, call Vineyard Church @ Anthem at (623) 551‑1133 or e‑mail joan@vineyardanthem.com.