The Meher Schools is holding a holiday drive to fill 50 emergency backpacks with items to keep homeless Contra Costa County residents warm on cold winter nights. We’re conducting the drive as part of the White Pony Express General Store’s Clothing & Care Closet Initiative.
“Rising rents, health care, food, and utility costs are changing the face of homelessness,” says WPE in its description of the project.
“Unhoused people are the working poor, young families, retired seniors, people with medical-related disabilities, and college students. Often they are living unhoused in neighborhoods where they not so long ago owned a comfortable home or rented an apartment. Now they are trying to survive life dwelling in cars, RVs, and tents.”
WPE is asking for donations of these items:
* Large, sturdy backpacks * Sleeping bags * Mylar blankets * Tarps * Wool socks * Meal bars
They ask that all items be new. If your family would like to contribute, sign up here. Please leave your donations in the box outside the Office by November 19.
The backpacks will be assembled by elementary students who are at school November 22 and 23.
You can read a flyer here with info about the Clothing & Care Closet Initiative, whose motto is “Serving our unhoused neighbors with love and dignity.”
For information about White Pony Express, see their website here.