Thangiving Drive

Event: 
 

Over 150 community volunteers, such
as faith groups, schools, businesses, service clubs and families will join
together to feed low-income residents of Contra Costa County this weekend. Over
4,000 lbs. of food and other groceries will be sorted and delivered to 200
households in our community through SHELTER, Inc.’s Thanksgiving drive on Saturday,
November 23rd.

How can you help? We
are in need of $10-$20 gift cards for turkeys and fresh produce. Please
deliver to SHELTER, Inc.’s main office at 1815 Arnold Drive, Martinez.

When:
   Saturday, November 23, 2013

                8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Where:   SHELTER,
Inc. Main Office

               1815 Arnold Drive, Martinez, CA
94553

Who is SHELTER, Inc.?

The mission of SHELTER, Inc. is to prevent and end homelessness among
low-income residents of Contra Costa County by providing resources that lead to
self-sufficiency.  

Why:
     The
economic crisis continues for many families in our community. A layoff,
foreclosure, health crisis, or unexpected setback creates the perfect storm for
homelessness. People are struggling to provide the basic necessities such as
food, clothing and shelter to loved ones this holiday season.

•      
Housing Challenge: A minimum wage earner would need
to work 135 hours per week or 3.4 full-time jobs to afford a
2-bedroom apartment in our county.

•      
Unemployment
is at 7.3% as of August 2013 for Contra Costa.

•      
There
are an estimated 7,500 homeless people in the county. Almost half are children.
We served 5,500 individuals in 2012.

•       Last year,
SHELTER, Inc. assisted 1,552 households requesting assistance to prevent
homelessness.

•       Top
reasons for requesting homeless prevention assistance:

o    28% Income
not enough to pay for housing, need to move.

o    20% Lost
job or reduced hours at work

o    10% Asked
to move by landlord or family

o    9% Had an
illness, injury or death in the family

o    3%
Foreclosure

o    2% Domestic
Violence

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