Home Sweet Nowhere: Frozen and Forgotten in Our Community
Local Organizations to Hold Wintertime Campout
As Baltimore’s temperatures plummet this winter, many people turn their minds to winterizing their homes, cranking up the heat and doing everything possible to stay warm. But those Marylanders experiencing homelessness or poverty may instead ponder how to just make it through the night. Where do they go when home is the street? Whom do they turn to when they feel so isolated? And what can we do to help?
“In the tumultuous economic times that we are facing, unemployment and homelessness are becoming larger issues for both our nation and for the state of Maryland. The face of poverty has changed to reflect families and children who have lost everything – their source of income, their home, and their hope.” said Anne Marie Vomero-Battis, Founder and Executive Director of Sharing Hope Foundation. “Through this event, we want to let these families know that they are not alone and have not been forgotten. It is our responsibility as a community to help give a hand up and lead our fallen neighbors toward hopefulness and self-sufficiency. We have recently had 2 of our homeless friends pass away...that is 2 too many.”
To raise awareness and funding for our homeless neighbors, the Sharing Hope Foundation will host the “Home Sweet Nowhere: Frozen and Forgotten in Our Community” Box City event on February 10 -11, 2012. Other partners in this event will be The June DeLancey Beward Foundation and Answered Prayers Ministries; both organizations are also very involved in outreach efforts to the homeless in our community.
During this event, members from all of these agencies will camp outside in cardboard boxes at various locations all over the county for one full weekend to showcase the plight of citizens who have no place to call home during these harsh months.
People that attend this "come and go" event will be able to:
* Talk to community leaders who are leading the way for those in need - get information about what is going on and how you can plug in to help or use any of the community resources that are available.
* You can also drop off any clean and gently used blankets, sleeping bags, warm winter gear, as well new first aid and toiletry products, toilet paper and unopened “ready to eat” types of food, as well as non-perishable food. You can also make a financial donation - no matter how big or small, that will go toward helping the homeless in our community.
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“Having no definite place to go, not knowing where to turn – these are the same sort of issues that so many downtrodden members of our society feel every day. However, we will not give up hope that this event will come together perfectly, just as we will not give up on helping our neighbors in need.” said Kimberly Beward, Chief Operations Officer of The June DeLancey Beward Foundation.
For more information about sponsoring, hosting or participating in this event, please contact Anne' Marie Vomero-Battis at (410) 688-3478. Follow on www.facebook.com/SharingHopeFoundation or www.StartSharingHope.org.
Current Box City Locations:
Mt. Zion United Methodist Church
1645 E. Churchville Rd., Bel Air, MD 21015
Box City Campout from Friday, February 10 - 6:00 p.m. until Saturday, February 11 - 6:00 p.m.
Joppa-Magnolia Fire Company
1403 Old Mountain Road South, Joppa MD 21085
Box City Campout from Friday, February 10 - 6:00 p.m. until Saturday, February 11 - 6:00 p.m.
