Press release from Homeward Bound:
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, Homeward Bound kicks off the Homeless Heroes Donation Drive at its Welcome Home Donation Center at 205 Elk Park Drive, Woodfin. The donation drive will last one week and end Nov. 19. The public is asked to donate new or gently used camping equipment such as three-person tent or bigger, waterproof heavy duty tarps, and warm sleeping bags.
Forty-five percent of Buncombe County’s homeless population are Veterans. A portion of these veterans are living outside – in campgrounds, under bridges, in their cars and on the streets.
When temperatures drop dangerously low CODE PURPLE goes into effect. Homeward Bound’s AHOPE Day Center accepts anyone who needs to get in from the cold during the day but there are no CODE PURPLE overnight shelters serving homeless men in Buncombe County. It is critical that we supply people staying outside with camping gear to keep them warm and dry this winter.
The camping gear collected in this drive will go directly to veterans and individuals who are homeless and living outside.
Homeward Bound also has a matching gift challenge established by two families who are dedicated to ending homelessness. The Creating Hope and Homes Gift Challenge will match all donations dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000. The deadline for the gift challenge is midnight December 31st.
Drop off times for the donation drive are Monday and Thursday 10:00am to 2:00pm and Wednesday from 1:00 to 4:00pm. If those times are not convenient, you can make alternative arrangements by contacting Ashley Campbell at 828-777-1886 or ashley@homewardboundwnc.org.
Since its inception in 2014, Homeward Bound’s Veterans Housing Services Program has found homes for 411 veterans and their families, assisted 166 veteran families in becoming housed who were referred by the Housing and Urban Development – Veterans Administration Supportive Housing and prevented 158 veteran families from becoming homeless through its Homelessness Prevention Program.
For more information on how to help Veterans and individuals living outside by donating to the Creating Home and Homes Gift Challenge, visit www.homewardboundwnc.org.
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