BREMERTON — Being homeless during the holidays can be an especially difficult time.

But small gestures of kindness can go a long way toward easing the sense of loss people experience during a time of what appears, looking in from without, a time of plenty.

Kitsap Rescue Mission reopened its overnight shelter in November, but the shelter only has the capacity for about 30 people. On Dec. 19, the Salvation Army will open their shelter, with 40 available beds.

But that still doesn’t address the loss and emotional needs of residents. So KRM is seeking (tax-exempt) donations of Christmas gifts for their residents who will be staying at the overnight shelter during the Christmas holidays. Most of the requested gifts are of a practical variety, reflecting the realities of life on the street at this time of year. KRM asks that gifts be wrapped in order to provide them to their guests, who will each receive one gift.

Mike O’Shaugnessey, men’s program manager for KRM, said they were seeking donations of the following items: socks; men’s and women’s gloves; hats; hand- and footwarmers; portable shaving kits for men; manicuring kits for women; sewing kits; chopsticks; travel-sized toilettries; Christmas candy; Christmas-themed gift bags; shoe boxes for gifts; Christmas wrapping paper; and Christmas cards, personalized with a hand-written message of love and support.

“Thanks in advance to everyone who helped bring joy to our guests on Christmas morning,” O’Shaugnessey said.

For more information on what and how to donate, call KRM at 360-373-3428 or visit kitsaprescue.org.