Wednesday evening we got to sit down with Mike Perez, the Development Director at Faith Mission, to discuss where we would fit in best with their mission to serve the homeless. In respect to his time and the wonderful people that are staying there we did not film within the shelter.
Mike took us on a tour of their facility and we visited every little corner and crevice of the shelter. We were able to come in around the dinner hour and see the 150 people who had come through to dine there that evening. We also were able to see all of the organization that goes behind serving and arranging the food for these meals and the incredible donations that come in to help with their free drop-in meals.
We visited their chapel and learned how they try to offer life-changing solutions through their in-house programs. Mike stressed that they try to figure out the cause for their homelessness and then decide a course of treatment so that they can live on their own. They offer classes and have a mental health program that helps their residence with addictions and mental illness. Their goal is to help give them the skills they need so that they are ready to take on a job, basic life skills (money management being one of them), & recovery support with a faith-based foundation.
After we toured the facility, we sat down and asked Mike how we could help them with what they are doing. He said the very best thing we could do for them, at this time, would be assisting them with their “welcome kits.” A welcome kit is given to each resident when they come in to stay at the shelter.
Each Welcome Kit would consist of the following:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shaving Cream
- Razor
- Lotion
- Body Wash
- Deodorant
- Washcloth
- Towel
- Shower Tote/Storage Container
I asked Mike to also think of what they might need on a grander scale, as they are in the process of renovating a new space for their women and this was his…
Dream Wish List:
Appliances needed for the 915 Benham project. All of the appliances need to be energy star rated and all in color white if possible:
- 7- 2’wide Dishwashers
- 4- 1’10” wide under cabinet Refrigerators
- 4- 30”-32” wide standard Refrigerators
- 10- small to medium handing microwaves
After we finished making our wish list, we headed over to my car where I had many of these:
EyeClops Night Vision Infrared Stealth Goggles ($68.88, Jakks Pacific)
And many of these:
Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker ($29.88, Jakks Pacific)
Made possible by my affiliation with this:
A big thank you to Walmart & their great 11 Moms venture as well as Jakks Pacific for giving me the opportunity to share these gifts with these incredible people. This is exactly the reason I am in 11 Moms and I am thankful for the opportunity to share within my community. These gifts will be given to the children when celebrating those special occasions in their life, like birthdays & Christmas.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHY4n_5_2Sw]
Now that we know what we can do for them, we have made a goal to provide 50-100 kits (depending on our donations) and provide one appliance on their dream list.
Is it possible? I truly believe that anything is possible and my next steps will be:
1. Getting as much press involved as I can for our efforts.
2. Trying to raise donations to put towards the cost of our welcome kits.
3. Researching & finding the best price I can on the items for the kits.
4. Researching & finding the best price I can on one of the items on their appliance wish list.
If you have any suggestions for tackling this project, I am all ears! Has anyone bought in bulk like this? Any resources or steps you can recommend?
Amy, this is such a great project & close to my heart being from Elkhart. I have a couple of ideas:
1. Approach local service clubs in Elkhart County – I'm a member of Elkhart Morning Rotary and there are several more; Concord, Goshen, and Elkhart Noon. Let's talk about how we might involve Rotary. (or Kiwanis, Lions, Optimists)
2. I have a couple of contacts at businesses in Elkhart that might be intereted in jumping on board.
3. This might be an excellent project for Elkhart area schools; particularly the Christian schools.
I'm in FL until tomorrow, but let's sit down and talk early next week; I'd love to help you in any way I can!
Happy Halloween!
Kathy
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Amy – I’d love to contribute some of the items for the welcome kits: toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc… What is the best way to do that?
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I have seen packs of multiple toothbrushes at Dollar Tree stores. The downside is that they aren’t individually packaged but if that doesn’t matter…
Also, I know people get great deals on those toiletries at CVS stores with coupons. I don’t have a CVS but if a coupon comes out that would get you a great deal (Sunday paper or printable), let us know! I’ll send as many as I can get!
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Monica-
That would be wonderful. You can send them directly to me at:
Amy Clark
c/o MomAdvice Big Give
16605 Bennington Court
Granger, Indiana 46530
If shipping is too much, we also set up a PayPal account with no minimum amount for donations so that we can buy the supplies on your behalf.
Kathy- I just love you to death! You are one of the most resourceful women I know and I am so happy to have you for a friend. I can’t wait to chat!
Michelle- Those are all great ideas- thank you so much!
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Amy, I don't remember if I asked you this, but do they want full sized toiletries or travel? I have a ton of both from freebie deals & taking from hotels. I plan to give some here in N.O. but wanted to send some your way too. Please let me know if they have a preference!
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Lorelei-
I am including full size toiletries in the totes, but I am sure the organization would be so happy with whatever you can give. We will include those as well- thank you so much!!!
((hugs))
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Amy, this is such an awesome thing you are doing! I will get some things together and drop them off to you soon. When do you want the items by?
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Amy, I just wanted to let you know that I will be putting a package in the mail next Friday the 7th. mostly toiletry items. I hope this helps and thank you for all you do! You are an inspiration to us all!
Blessings!
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Amy- did you want us all to send you all of our coupons that we don’t use? That may be able to help you get alot of good toiletries for cheap…
Also- I am assuming that on Black Friday there may be some good deals on appliances- I would go in the week before thanksgiving- find someone with authority and with an ounce of compassion for others – tell them your story- and see if they can guarantee you whatever is on sale- just get there at the crack of dawn (like you won’t be out anyway
I saw this on the internet
Small appliances like microwaves and toaster ovens are usually marked up 30 percent; but large appliances such as washing machines and ovens are inflated by only 15 percent Best time to buy big appliances : September and October
Also- I know some people don’t like warranties- but I am thinking an extended warranty may be a great thing for a homeless shelter to have- in my head- if it breaks down- they would have to take money away from the people they are serving to fix it- so if I were giving the gift- i would make sure that it is totally covered- so they won’t have to ever worry about it. Also- I have seen great sales on scratch and dented appliances- not sure if you thought a small scratch would matter- as long as it works- why does it have to look pretty?
I am looking for books for my daughter’s school library- there is a big consignment sale coming up this week – one week long! And I asked the person in charge if they wanted to donate any unsold books to my school- they said sure no problem- I just had to come and get them! So sometimes having the courage to ask the question pays off- they may say no but they will never say yes if you don’t ask the question
I am wondering if you asked any dentists in the area- maybe they could get you some supplies?
One more thing- maybe it would be better if they buy it themselves- because they probably get it tax free because they are a non profit? Saving tax would be a good deal too right? Or maybe they have some sort of form or something you can take with you to get the break in sales tax?
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Amy,
Try Sam’s Club for the towels and washcloths. They have hotel quality towels in bundles of 60 and washcloths in bundles of 300, and are very reasonably priced.
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