Help Hut for the homeless

More than a year ago, my husband and I suddenly had a calling to look into what we could do to help those who find themselves without a home. We traveled to several areas of North Central Washington and beyond and made contact with people in all sorts of different situations to determine what their greatest needs are. We had a preconceived idea that the vast majority of people that we were going to make contact with would tell us that money would be their greatest need. That assumption was absolutely wrong! We made contact with people that are not only homeless but most are also disabled, mentally and/or physically ill, they suffer from substance and/or alcohol addiction and more. While a common theme is that food and occasional emergency shelter is available to them through various programs, jeans, shirts, sweatshirts, coats, socks, underwear, gloves, hats, shoes, bed pads, tarps, sleeping bags or blanket, male and female hygiene items etc. are not readily available to them. These are the most common items that people wish for and need but there are hardly any options available for them to acquire those types of items. Simple items that are life changing to them, in some cases maybe life saving. Most people believe that by donating these types of items to various collection sites and non profits means that these goods are being distributed to the needy but that is rarely the case. Most donated items go to some type of  non profit store to be sold at discount prices. People in need have no resources to buy anything, even at those types of stores. 
    What we do is buy these types of items at yard sales and community centers and non profit type stores or we buy them new at discount or close out prices (hygiene items are always new) and we give the items to those who need them. Sometimes we don’t have an item that a person desperately needs so we go to the nearest Walmart or similar store in the area and buy the needed item for them. We realize that there is little to no chance that what we do is going to change anyone’s living situation but we can greatly change their quality of life as it is, while at the same time showing them the care and compassion that anyone deserves as a fellow human. We have done our best to provide as many people as possible with these types of items but our resources are limited.  Our goal is to stock an enclosed cargo trailer with the items that people need the most and travel to destinations that have the most need for these items and distribute them accordingly, eventually having a set route as to times and places so those in need have a recurring location where they know that help is available. Your donation would go so very far in helping to make this mission a successful reality.