BBN Teams Supported People Experiencing Homelessness in June

In June, our Beyond Belief Network teams kept busy supporting people experiencing homelessness and poverty in their communities. For some information and ideas for how you or your team can help see our National Youth Homeless Awareness guide. 

In the Chicago area, St James soup kitchen organizes a regular supper program. In June, Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation Community brought food, prepared it, and served 60 attendees. Kol Hadash volunteers had a good time and felt like they were doing important work. Great event! 

South Texas Atheists for Reason (STAR) in San Antonio focused on hygiene supplies for their giveaway for people experiencing homeless in downtown San Antonio. Volunteers also brought clothing, water, and snack foods that they were able to give to the approximately 45 people who went through their line. Keep up the good work!

In Grand Junction, CO Humanists Doing Good spent a day in June at the Fruita Community Garden weeding and planting vegetables and herbs. The team of volunteers were treated to terrific overcast weather for the majority of the time before the clouds burst and sent everyone running for the cars just as they were finishing up. It was a great event to bring the kids to giving them a chance to play in the dirt. 

Austin Atheists Helping the Homeless had their largest single giveaway in June supporting approximately 250 people! 

The record breaking giveaway was possible because of the 25 volunteers who came, despite the hot, humid weather, with supplies, smiles, and time! They also had awesome donations ranging from sunscreen to backpacks. They received monetary donations, including a FBB grant, that allowed them to purchase additional backpacks, granola bars, and razors, among other items. Here's to another record breaking event next month! 

Humanist Community of Central Ohio (HCCO) and Central Ohio United Non-Theists (COUNT) in Columbus joined forces again in June to volunteer as servers at the Community Shelter Board (CSB) facility on Van Buren Drive in Columbus, Ohio. This was their 30th joint shelter event! CSB provides housing and meals to families and individual men and women experiencing homelessness in Central Ohio. 

COUNT had another event in June where four volunteers worked as housewarmers at the Columbus Ohio Ronald McDonald House (RMH). RMH provides housing and meals to families with children being treated at Nationwide Childrens Hospital and other area hospitals. Housewarmers work with the guests to provide a home-like environment. 

People experiencing homelessness in the US is an epidemic, but it's one that has solutions. It's an issue that impacts every community and one that every community service group can help address. We are very proud of our Beyond Belief Network teams who are taking on this issue and of the results they are seeing. Great job teams!