Hi, my name is Kate Nolan and I am working to help Venezuelan refugees being bused to Chicago from Texas and other states.

These people, many families with children, have walked almost 3000 miles to escape devastating conditions at home. They arrive here with little more than the clothes on their backs. Many come in stocking or bare feet. They are temporarily sheltered at police precincts as we await a better process for getting them to safe shelters where ther medical, governmental, physical and emotional needs might be met. They sleep on blankets in the station foyer. They have access to bathrooms, but otherwise, we must meet all their needs.

I am part of a small group of volunteers showing up daily at an area police station to provide food and water and other basic needs. Some days we have as many as 50 people to feed and attend to, some as few as 2. The situation is very fluid. Buses come with little notice to drop people off or pick them up, so we have to be agile to keep up with the needs.

I believe this will be an ongoing situation over the next few months. I need your help paying for food, water, OTC medicines, chapstick, SIM cards, underwear, oks, diapers, wipes...you get the idea.

Please help if you can. The need is enormous.