Summer is a wonderful time of year! Sunshine, no snow to shovel, lake time and NO school! It is also a time that many don't think about the homeless population and how any time of year can be dangerous and unhealthy to be without shelter.
While summer does not produce the fridged temps of the winter months, the heat can be detremental to someone living outside. Extreme heat can cause dehydration and heat exhaustion. In NW Wisconsin, mosquitos and other bugs that come out at night make sleeping outside pretty unbearable.
Summer also brings a surge in homelessness among families. Single moms and their kids often find shelter among friends and family. However, once school lets out and all the kids are home, these support systems are stretched thin, and the desperate family is often told to make other arrangements.
We tend not to think of the homeless during the summer so needs are forgotten even though they are very much there. During the winter months we have holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas that focus on giving to our neighbors and taking care of those in need. Our shelter receives amazing and generous donations from November through December and we are often well stocked for the following months. But that stock slowly dwindles and is often depleted as we head into spring. Without a "Christmas in July" we find ourselves in need of supplies once again.
How can you help?
While your summer may focus on family time and lazy days at the beach, remember that there are many families and individuals in need regardless of the time of year. Homelessness does not have a season and there is always an opportunity to help!
While summer does not produce the fridged temps of the winter months, the heat can be detremental to someone living outside. Extreme heat can cause dehydration and heat exhaustion. In NW Wisconsin, mosquitos and other bugs that come out at night make sleeping outside pretty unbearable.
Summer also brings a surge in homelessness among families. Single moms and their kids often find shelter among friends and family. However, once school lets out and all the kids are home, these support systems are stretched thin, and the desperate family is often told to make other arrangements.
We tend not to think of the homeless during the summer so needs are forgotten even though they are very much there. During the winter months we have holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas that focus on giving to our neighbors and taking care of those in need. Our shelter receives amazing and generous donations from November through December and we are often well stocked for the following months. But that stock slowly dwindles and is often depleted as we head into spring. Without a "Christmas in July" we find ourselves in need of supplies once again.
How can you help?
- Coordinate a donation drive with your church or school group to help us restock much needed supplies. Call our office to ask about the items we need most!
- Volunteer to bring in a meal. Offering food is a wonderful way to show you care about someone.
- Help our cause by making a monetary donation. Funds help us purchase supplies and food at a bulk discount and help stretch our dollars further.
While your summer may focus on family time and lazy days at the beach, remember that there are many families and individuals in need regardless of the time of year. Homelessness does not have a season and there is always an opportunity to help!