Hi, my name is Brandon Harper and I started a St. Louis community outreach effort called Starting Fresh STL. This mission is personal to me and my wife, Portia Harper — we’re focused on helping our unhoused neighbors with dignity by providing hygiene kits, winter survival bags, and essential clothing such as coats, hoodies, socks, gloves, hats, and underwear. We’re also accepting food donations, including snacks and items that can be cooked, because we plan on preparing and passing out hot, home-cooked meals as well — not just shelf food, but real meals made with care. This fundraiser will help us purchase supplies in bulk, cover food ingredients and packaging, and expand the number of people we can help consistently. If you’d like to donate items in person, drop-offs can be coordinated near Lindell Blvd in St. Louis (please message us to arrange details). Our long-term goal is to go beyond immediate relief. In the future, we want to help individuals take real steps off the street by building relationships with local rehabs, recovery programs, shelters, and even transitional housing partners. Starting with one or two people at a time, we hope to connect people to stability, resources, and opportunities — including support with basic identification needs, hygiene, and job readiness — while working toward treatment placement when appropriate. We understand this is a long-term effort and we’re committed to building it responsibly, step by step. Everything we do is rooted in respect — no cameras, no judgment, just help. If you’re able to donate or even share this fundraiser, it truly means the world to us. Thank you for helping us show love to our community, one person at a time.