Blankets for NYC's Homeless

Hi everyone,

I am starting a fundraiser to provide blankets to homeless New Yorkers.  The idea started a few weeks ago, when I decided to replace my comforter.  After doing so, my boyfriend and I brought my old comforter with us on our way to brunch and asked the first homeless person we saw if he wanted it.  The grateful look in his eyes has haunted me ever sense.  He stared at the blanket and said "thank you so much" over and over and over again.  It really struck me how a blanket, something we are so blessed to have many of, can really make a difference in the lives of those trying to survive on the streets of New York.  I know this isn't providing the homeless even close to everything they need, but hopefully we can make their situation a little less uncomfortable as the days and nights get colder.  More generally, I have been frustrated by the hate flowing through the world, and this small gesture can be a way we can bring more love and hope into our community.

Homelessness in NYC is at an all-time high right now.   There are almost 60,000 homeless individuals in the NYC shelter system nightly (as of October 2015).  The website of the Coalition of the Homeless states:  "Each night thousands of unsheltered homeless people sleep on New York City streets, in the subway system, and in other public spaces. There is no accurate measurement of New York City’s unsheltered homeless population, and recent City surveys significantly underestimate the number of unsheltered homeless New Yorkers.  Studies show that the large majority of street homeless New Yorkers are people living with mental illness or other severe health problems."

Every dollar you donate will go toward buying blankets.   My promise is to bring the blankets around the city and distribute them to the homeless, along with leaflets/helpful information about the Coalition for the Homeless's various programs that can provide additional help to these individuals.  These packets will include information such as routes for the free, hot meals the Coalition for the Homeless passes out to homeless individuals nightly. 

I'm looking at wool blend blankets that are flame and water resistant.  Because you all are SO generous, we have enough to buy in bulk which brings the cost of each blanket down to around $8.  Really anything helps! If you have any extra blankets lying around, please consider giving them to those in need!

Much love,
Rhia