An effort to collect household goods, furniture and winter clothing for black poverty areas in the US has been launched by Stewardship for People in Need.

A container collection for the items will take place today at the Kindley Field Park between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The container has been donated free passage between Bermuda and Florida by Somers Isle Shipping Ltd.

It is destined for the impoverished county of Williamsburg in South Carolina where 40 percent of all the children live below the poverty level and the average income per capita is only $7,632 per annum.

SPIN organiser Cecile Harris said: "The response from the public has been wonderful. The major hotels and smaller guest houses have been contacted and they are very receptive to the idea of SPIN picking up the material excesses that Bermuda does not use.'' It is anticipated that the worn out furnishings from hotels that are not utilised by the residents could be shipped off the Island to very needy areas instead of ending up in the dump.

The concept ties in well with Bermuda's efforts to control re-cycling as worn linens and damaged furniture could be given new life and new owners.

The collection coincides with a sister concept called Art in the Park Christmas Fest .

The outdoor arts and crafts show will highlight more than 24 of Bermuda's artisans selling everything from hand-made Christmas ornaments and decorations to dolls, paintings and precious metal and gem designer jewellry.

The artists will be housed in individual tents and the event will raise funds to pay for more than a thousand dollars for Bermuda and US inland freight charges.

Information on the joint event can be obtained by calling 293-2529.