Three years ago, on Christmas Day, A friend and I were driving around Brooklyn and we couldn't help but to notice the many (likely homeless) ppl who were just roaming around, with seemingly no family or place to go . We looked at one another and the conversation went something like this: Me: You know, I feel bad for these folks...you and I have nothing to do today. We should've cooked or something. Him: Yeah, and pass out healthy food. Me:We should take off a day and do that, prepare a bunch of food and just serve it and talk with them. Him: Let's do it, Valentine's Day! That's basically how this idea was born. According to The NYC Coalition for the Homeless, homelessness in New York City has reached the highest levels since the Great Depression of the 1930s. In October 2015, there were 59,568 homeless people, including 14,361 homeless families with 23,858 homeless children, sleeping each night in the New York City municipal shelter system. Families comprise nearly four-fifths of the homeless shelter population. In the cold winter months, the brutal weather can become unbearable, both physically and emotionally. Getting warm becomes number one priority, and health risks increase. Our mission is to go out on Valentine's Day, and literally "Spread Love" We will prepare and distribute a healthy meal, some cold weather essentials like socks and hand-warmers... and talk to folk, find out their stories, give them info about available services, and let them know they're not alone or invisible, that they are in fact, loved. On February 14, 2016, we raised $2,646 in cash which helped our volunteers serve hot healthy meals and fresh fruit smoothies to over 30 families and 152 individuals at 3 NYC shelters on THE coldest day of the year. We were also able to give each person a "love" bag containing natural toiletries, healthy snacks, and new socks- an item that is desperately needed but often overlooked. In addition, we received donations of children's coats and natural soaps and shea body butters from our generous sponsors. In February 2017, with additional donations, volunteers, and an outpouring of support, we were able to hit the streets of NYC and serve delicious food, handmade scarves, coats, and some chocolate valentine's... and, of course, we got to love on our less fortunate neighbors. This winter, we want to go above and beyond in our giving. Our goal is to purchase at least 30 "Empowerment Plan" coats. These special insulated coats are specifically designed to transform into warm sleeping bags for those sleeping on the streets. During the brutal winter, this can be a matter of life and death. Each coat is made to order at a cost of only $100 per item, and the company that makes them employs homeless and formerly homeless individuals, something we are really excited about. With your help we know that we can reach and possibly surpass our goal. Please help us raise enough to Spread Love, The Brooklyn Way.     https://www.facebook.com/SpreadLoveBK/