Our Help the Homeless project started over 8 years ago. Back then it was just a few families with a carload of used clothes looking for a way to help. We've grown quite a bit since then, and so very grateful for the impact this project is now able to make for our neighbors in need.
This year, with more than $10,000 in donations and 500+ hygiene kits, we were able to help more than ever! (check out the segment on Good Day Sacramento)
We allocated $5,000 of our budget from general fundraising, grants, and donations over the year for the project and hoped to raise a little extra for some additional items. We were blown away by the support as we overdoubled our budget! In large part, this support came from our project sponsor - 34 Strong.
We also partnered once again with Rock Creek Elementary School's WE Club who collected supplies to build nearly 500 hygiene kits! We also had a student-led project by Ryan Kaiser at Whitney High School that collected donations and supplies to assemble another 50 kits.
The hygiene kits included: a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, lotion, band-aids, Chapstick, hand sanitizer, deodorant, combs, socks, and more.
With over 30 boxes of brand-new supplies ready, our project team of about 30 people set off on Thanksgiving morning to set up for a day of service.
With our increased budget this year, we were able to purchase high-quality, new items to hand out. Our project manager and board member, Tanis Liomin, had been purchasing supplies for months with them safely stored and ready for us at the downtown Sacramento Insperity office.
Stretching every dollar we took in to make sure we could provide the supplies needed, here's an idea of what your support provided:
New Clothing: Shoes, socks, pants, underwear, sweats, thermals, winter jackets, belts, gloves, hats
Sleeping Gear: tarps, blankets, etc.
Backpacks & misc. supplies
Medicine & first aid supplies
500+ Hygiene Kits
A nice, warm breakfast
As the word quickly spread on the streets, our volunteers were able to help nearly 100 people pick out clothing and supplies they needed along with a warm breakfast and holiday meal.
We also allocated a special shipment to our friends at the Gathering Inn shelter in Placer County that included more of the same. And a final donation to Wind Youth Services with 30 more new winter puffer jackets.
Special thanks to our board, volunteers, and supporters who made this project possible. Without you, there's simply no way to reach this many people in need. There are a few that went above to help:
Tanis Liomin - board member & project manager/purchasing
Ami Fetter - board member & project leader.
34 Strong, Inc. - project sponsor
Insperity, Inc. - project sponsor
Holly Cable - Rock Creek Elementary WE Club leader
Ryan Kaiser - Whitney High School Tower Club leader
There were so many generous donations and every dollar counts, but there are a few significant supporters that we'd like to recognize:
The Virassammy Family
Sondra Nunez
Gary Levin
The Stephan Family
The Kaiser Family
The Boyd Family
Katy Pye
Thank you to everyone who donated their money, time, and support to make this special project possible. There's still a lot more work to be done to help the homeless, but it is important to make sure they know they are not forgotten and there's a community that cares.
Thank you for providing niceness for those in need.