Hello, (updated 2/19/26) Below.

The Bus went out on it's first mission last week. it was amazing! We had hot Beef Stew, drinks, snacks, and gave out clothing, coats, and blankets. It was an overall success. Then, last Monday evening, someone broke in to the bus in what we thought was a secure location, and stole all of the solar equipment. Batteries, charge controller, inverter and several cables. They also cut the ignition switch wires in an attempt to steal the bus itself, but the bus batteries were dead (glad I didn't replace them yet) and were unable to get it started. We have moved the bus.

To replace the loss and repair the damage, and install a security system, will about $3,500

Anything you can spare to get us back up and running would be appreciated.

Original post:

My name is Dave and my roommate Melissa and I have been feeding the homeless on the streets of Cave Junction, O'Brian, and Kerby, Oregon for the last three + years. We feed between 18 & 27 people a week. In the winter, they are cold and wet and in the summer they are over heated. The plan is to turn the bus into a motor home (for legal purposes) and then "invite people into our place for a meal." With tables and chairs, we will be able to seat 12 to 15 people at a time, providing them with a hot meal and a "to go" meal to take back to their camp. The funds I am raising are to purchase the bus, cover the cost of documentation, appliances and modifications needed, and the first full tank of Diesel fuel to make this dream a reality. I currently pay for the food we prepare out of pocket and are not financed by any church or other organization, and will continue to do so as needed. One church in our valley does occasionally helps with bread and fruit, when they can. There are food banks, but are too far away from the downtown area for most of these people to travel to.

Currently, we drive around town looking for people on the streets and in camps. With this bus, we can set up a consistent place, time, and day of the week.

Update:

We found and purchased a bus. It was $4k and used up just about all the funds we raised.

The Bus (Motor Home) has been registered and insured.

Next phase is to remove the seats and install the Propane stove I purchased. Hopefully, this week (Aug. 20th ish)

We still need to outfit the bus with the rest of a kitchen area, dining area, and "changing room" so people can change out of wet clothes for dry donated garments.

Registration, $495 and insurance $86/mo. came out of my savings because Donations have slacked off.

If we can raise the last $3,000, or close to it, we can have the bus delivering hot meals and clothing by mid September, 2025.

I'm doing what I can on my own, but It sure would speed things up if we can raise the remainder of our goal.

Thank you in advance.