Last month we discovered a way to make a difference in the lives
of DC residents that don't have a place to live. At
the corner of D and 2nd Street NW is The Community for Creative
Non-Violence (CCNV), a 1,350-Bed
Federal City Shelter, the largest and most comprehensive facility of its kind
in America. CCNV’s mission is to meet
the most basic needs of the homeless, advocate on their behalf, and prepare
them to re-enter into mainstream society.
When asked the question “What are your
biggest needs?” Staff members didn’t say money or more volunteers. It was
cleaning supplies. The largest city shelter washes
their floors by crushing up bar soap and mixing it with hot water. Yet a bottle of Pine Sol costs $2.97; a tub
of bleach, $1.50; etc. These are very basic and affordable items we purchase on
a daily basis and for less money than we spend on a Starbucks coffee.
I
recently spoke with staff member, Michael Jenkins, who shared with me
that CCNV is truly transforming people's lives and that it especially
impacted his own; he exuded sheer excitement for what this center
represents. Michael informed me the best way to help is to donate items
such as bleach,
toilet paper, trash bags (60 gal. or 38x58), Pine Sol and other all purpose cleaners, hand sanitizer, laundry detergent, mops & brooms, etc. Bleach, toilet paper, and trash bags were highlighted as priorities as they have over 1,000 people on any given night.
Michael mentioned that during Thanksgiving and Christmas they receive an influx of donations but that throughout the year they
lack these basic cleaning supplies to maintain the facility. Our goal is to provide for a year’s
worth of cleaning supplies to the CCNV and we’d love for you to help!
If you’d like to participate we have
coordinated several drop off locations in the DC area where you can drop off
your donations between March 5-25th.
Please send this link along to family, co-workers, friends—we want this movement to span
outside our circle, so it reaches enough people to meet our goal of donating
cleaning supplies for the year 2012.
If you have any questions, please contact: tslprojectclean@gmail.com
If you
