As the holiday season approaches, downtown charities that work with the homeless population are having trouble making sure there are enough resources and volunteers.
According to the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s 2014 report on homelessness, the urban communities in Phoenix and Maricopa County have the largest homeless populations in the state, accounting for over 61 percent of the state’s total homeless population.
The Cultural Cup Food Bank, located on Thomas Road and Seventh Street, ran out of turkeys to give to people for Thanksgiving last Monday, Director Sabiha Keskin said. Keskin said they usually have 200-300 turkeys to distribute, but this year they only received 125.
“The hardest part is when families come asking if they get a turkey, and we don’t have any,” Keskin said.
In addition to Thanksgiving turkeys, the Cultural Cup distributes weekly food boxes. Inside each food box are non perishables like dry beans, rice, cereal and canned fruits and vegetables.
The I Have A Dream clothing boutique — started by Rebel & Divine UCC and housed at First Congregational Phoenix UCC on Willetta and Second streets — focuses on offering clothing and hygiene products for homeless, LGBT youth and young adults ages 14-24. The organization struggles to have enough volunteers and money, community coordinator Tamira Burns said.
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Burns said the boutique typically spends about $200 each week to feed the kids on Sundays, and takes donations through their crowdsourcing page.
Burns said they have about six people in their core group of volunteers, and they are currently looking for a volunteer coordinator. She said during the holiday season, youth feel like they need to be in a community more than they do the rest of the year.
“There seems to be this idea that there’s no more kids being kicked out of their homes,” Burns said. “Gay marriage didn’t solve any of the homeless problems.”
The organization offers classes on self-improvement and self-awareness as well as programs where they host spiritual discussions and activities to promote health and safe sex. They also have a dinner every Sunday night where kids are given leftovers to take home.
“It’s really all about making sure that these youth have a better shot at life,” Burns said.
Burns said she and the staff have seen many of their regulars being invited back home for the holidays, some for the first time. She said that reconciliation between the youth and their families is great to see.
André House, located on 11th Avenue and Jackson Street, is serving turkey casserole for Thanksgiving, said Therese Barnhart, director of volunteer services and communications. The organization is asking for more pie donations, including turkey pie.
Barnhart said the hardest part in preparing for the holidays is that the needs change. She said her staff gives out more blankets and warm jackets during the winter.
Recognizing and being sensitive to the fact that this may be a tough time for some people is important, Barnhart said.
“The holidays can be a very difficult time, especially if you’re on the streets,” Barnhart said. “Where it can be a very joyful time for some people, it’s not that for others.”
André House provides evening meals for those in need, Saturday through Thursday. The organization also offers showers, a clothing closet, a laundry service, lockers, hygiene kits and sleeping bags. Barnhart said they serve around 500-700 meals each night, 25-30 showers a day and 6-10 guest’s loads of laundry a day as well.
Barnhart said they do not have any beds inside the building, but they have a men’s transitional house with five beds for people who are trying to get back on their feet.
According to Barnhart, the organization has about 9,000 total volunteers annually.
“We rely on a lot of volunteers here,” Barnhart said. “And the good news is we are blessed to have a lot of volunteers, especially this time of year.”
Contact the reporters at Conall.Casey-Waid@asu.edu.
