Christmas Day Celebrated at Gateway West

Yesterday, volunteers and staff members served healthy, specially prepared Christmas meals to individuals experiencing homelessness at Gateway West, the city’s largest shelter. Mayor Keller joined the 26 volunteers who served 620 meals, 69 pies, 12 cakes, and hundreds of cookies including biscochitos. 

“Everyone deserves the basics of warmth, safety and sustenance this season and year-round, and our community continues to come together to help those in need,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re working to break cycles of homelessness by connecting folks to resources including case management offered at Gateway West to help folks on their path to stability.” 

Gateway West can serve up to 660 people per night. The City is renovating all 12 dorms at the Gateway West. Renovations bring fresh paint, new floors, LED lights, bathroom upgrades, and new beds with lockable storage. The dorms are being renovated in a sequence to maintain capacity and to continue serving hundreds throughout the renovations. The community is invited to volunteer to build beds at Gateway West on January 9, 2025 for the next dorm that is being renovated. Volunteers can sign up at oneabqvolunteers.com

Community members can also help by donating clothing, blankets, and toiletries for those staying at Gateway West now through January 9. Donations can be dropped off at any of the four Health & Social Service Centers. Please leave items with a City staff member and let them know it is for Gateway West. Items needed include: 

• Men’s pants (smaller size 28-34) prefer drawstring 
• Men’s shirts/hoodies 
• Men’s jackets/Coats 
  Men’s new underwear 
• Men’s shoes 
• Women’s pants (smaller sizes) 
• Women’s shirts/hoodies  
• Women’s jackets/coats 
• Women’s underwear  
• Blankets 
• Flip flops to use while showering  

Toiletries:

• Shampoo 
• Conditioner 
• Lotion 
• Razors 
• Shaving cream 
• Deodorant 
• Body wash 
• Toothpaste 
• Toothbrushes 
• Feminine hygiene products 

ACS continues to offer after-hours transportation service to shelters between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. The community can call (505) 418-6178 to request transportation. This year, ACS can transport individuals to the new First Responder Receiving area at the Gateway Center during the overnight hours, getting people safe and inside right away.