It’s almost summer in Memphis and that means that the temperatures are rising and there will be a lot of thirsty folks experiencing homelessness who will be vulnerable to the elements. H.O.P.E is coming to the rescue by sending out our Outreach team, bringing cold bottled water and snacks to our people, as well as hygiene kits. We want our people to know that H.O.P.E. is aware of the disgraceful lack of resources in Memphis, and we’re trying to help fill the gap. We also know that summer is difficult time for the children of these families as they may not have enough to eat. That is why we would like to make a snack bag for the school age children as well as information about free things to do with kids this summer.
We want to kick off this campaign by June and are calling it “HOPE: Summer Survival.” H.O.P.E will be collecting supplies all month long and continuing until August. This is where you come in! We’re asking our allies and supporters to donate bottle water, juice boxes, meat, cheese, bread for sandwiches, chips, crackers, zip lock bags, and hygiene items (like hotel soaps, trial size lotions, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.). We are also taking monetary donations to purchase items, as well. Our goal is to go at least twice a month to feed the hungry and their children in these summer months, but we will do as long as supplies last. We would like to have some cards with encouraging words as to uplift our brother and sisters on the streets of Memphis.
We would also like to announce that The Dorothy Day House will be opening a second shelter for women and children this week! We are so excited, as currently, we’ve only had a few places to refer clients.. The location will be on Peabody where the Church Health Center used to be, and we look forward to getting more information and putting it in the Survivor guide. Kudos!
For more information about how you can help donate or support HOPE or those who do the work to combat homelessness,or would like to put on a HOPE shirt and volunteer, contact Tamara Hendrix, (901)725.4990 or tamara@midsouthpeace.org.
Feed the Movement!
H.O.P.E. would like to thank Marcos Pizza for providing pizzas for the H.O.P.E meetings on the 1st Wednesday of the month. H.O.P.E is a supportive advocacy group for people with the experiences of homelessness. One of the ways in which we learn about the aforementioned needs and strategize how we can best support one another through this work is through our weekly Wednesday meetings in which we invite people experiencing homelessness to fellowship, share, and brainstorm. It is very important that H.O.P.E. continues to hear from the homeless community about the differing levels of oppression that many of us may face when attempting to navigate through the impending hardships of scarce services available in Memphis. For many groups and organizations offering free food at meetings is a plus for their attendees, but for H.O.P.E. it is a necessity, due to the fact that most often the meal offered at H.O.P.E. meetings may be the only meal they will have that day.
As H.O.P.E. grows in numbers our expenses grow as well. How can you help? You can help by donating prepared foods on Wednesdays to our meeting that afternoon. Don’t have time to cook or buy prepared foods and bring them to our meeting space? We also accept monetary donations towards this cause. Neither of those options seem feasible for you presently? We are also looking for restaurants willing to donate food to our meetings. As always, all forms of donations are completely tax deductible.
If you would like to discuss how you can offer support to HOPE please call Tamara @ 901-254-5964 or email tamara@midsouthpeace.org.