Extreme Heat. Limited Resources. Fewer Available Services. Summer can be an especially challenging time for individuals experiencing homelessness. In addition, many children and families go hungry when school isn’t in session because they rely on school meals.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some practical ways you can care for our struggling brothers and sisters during the summer months. Here are 3 suggestions:
1. Donate water bottles, cooling towels and sunscreen. MTM’s outreach team makes frequent visits out in the community and provides these life-saving supplies.
2. When you encounter individuals experiencing homelessness, share how to get to Mel Trotter Ministries or call GRPD (616-456-3400) for help with transportation to a safe place where they can find a cooling center, sunscreen, shelter, and a meal.
3. Give to CODE RED. Your gift provides cold water, hearty meals, a place to escape from the dangerous heat, and the resources they need to get back on their feet.
It is important to recognize proximity when it comes to homelessness in our communities. While summer may be a time of vacation for many, there are also many individuals and families who are facing the harsh realities of homelessness in the heat. Hunger and homelessness doesn’t go away in the summertime. Often, homelessness may be associated with the cold, winter months. The truth is that homelessness is a year-round issue that affects millions of people around the country, including an increasing number in our own backyard.
By taking these steps, we can protect the lives of unsheltered neighbors during the hottest months of the year. By coming together as a community, we can make a difference and help ensure that everyone has their essential needs met.
