By Kristy Hutchings | Grunion Gazette
Less than one week after proclaiming a local emergency on homelessness, Long Beach has launched a donation campaign — dubbed the Mayor’s Fund for Homeless Action — in hopes of generating financial and physical support for those in the city who are homeless.
Related: Long Beach expands homeless outreach with launch of Mobile Access Center
The city announced the initiative on Friday evening, Jan. 13.
“We must go all in to address the urgent needs of those in our city experiencing homelessness,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a news release. “With the Mayor’s Fund for Homeless Action, we are empowering our community to make a real difference and support those who need it most.”
The donation fund is an effort to support those experiencing homelessness by bringing together Long Beach’s residents, community organizations and businesses to offer the unsheltered community better access to housing, social services and supplies, the announcement said.
The money collected will be administered through the Long Beach Community Foundation, the city’s press release said. That will allow the Department of Health and Human Services to pay for traditionally underfunded homeless services, including prevention efforts.
All funds collected must be put toward homeless services.
“Contributions will aid the city and its partners in their efforts to address homelessness through a variety of critical needs,” the release said, “including relocation assistance, shelter services, transportation assistance, critical infrastructure improvements and repairs, replacement of mission critical equipment, move-in assistance, and other creative community-driven responses around homelessness.”
Aside from monetary donations, the fund will also accept:
- Hygiene kits, including soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush, dental floss, feminine products, and shaving cream and razors.
- Pet care kits, including treats, collars, leashes, toys and collapsible pet bowls.
- Backpacks with items such as hand warmers, flashlights, battery packs, batteries (usually D batteries), emergency blankets and charging cables.
- Gift cards to places such as Target, Walmart, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, In ‘N’ Out, Dunkin Donuts and grocery stores.
- Canned food, bottled juices or water, snacks such as granola bars or power bars, instant oatmeal, instant soup, and fruit and vegetables.
- New clothing items, including sweatpants, shirts, beanies, socks, underwear, scarves, caps, hoodies, towels or blankets.
The city’s Homeless Services Bureau also has an Amazon Wishlist with needed items.
The Multi-Service Center, 1301 W. 12 St., will accept in-person donations of physical items from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. The MSC closes daily from noon to 1 p.m.; and closes early — at 2 p.m. — on Thursdays.
For more information, visit the city’s homelessness dashboard.
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