Anne Arundel County is urging citizens to get involved in Homeless Resource Day, which will be held in March at Annapolis High School.
“Homeless Resource Day is an excellent opportunity for our county to come together and help some of our most vulnerable families and individuals,” said County Executive Schuh. “Whether you sign up to volunteer at the event or donate goods and services, your help is essential. By working together to increase access to benefits, medical care, substance abuse resources and other social services, we can help cure the problem of homelessness in Anne Arundel County.”
Organized by the Partnership Board to End Homelessness in Anne Arundel County, Homeless Resource Day is a “one-day, one-stop” opportunity for individuals and families experiencing homelessness to access benefits, medical care, substance abuse resources, mental health counseling intake and other social services which can ultimately lead to stable housing and self-sufficiency.
Children and adults can access transportation, medical, housing and job assistance, as well as personal hygiene and quality of life resources. The homeless often have a difficult time accessing such basic services as getting a haircut or obtaining a copy of a birth certificate.
Last year, 65 service providers from government, non-profits, schools and individuals participated in Homeless Resource Day. More than 400 volunteers assisted, serving as guides, greeters, translators and discharge personnel. Cumulatively, more than $260,000 in goods and services were donated by county residents and businesses.
To sign up to volunteer for this year’s event, visit http://www.aacounty.org/homelessresource.
Donations of goods, services and money also are needed to make this year’s event a success. Recommended donations include non-perishable food items, new socks, new underwear and hand sanitizer. Suggested food items include pop-top cans of fruit, soup and canned meat (Spam, tuna, Vienna sausages), granola bars, Pop Tarts, individual size juice boxes, cheese or peanut butter crackers, peanut butter, jelly, bread, non-refrigerated pudding cups, and small boxes of cereal. Donation boxes have been placed in county office buildings in the Heritage Office complex on Riva Road, as well as the Arundel Center on Calvert Street in Annapolis.
Donations can also be dropped off now at one of four locations:
- Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis. M-F 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Anne Arundel County Food Bank, 1400 Generals Highway (Under the water tower), Crownsville. Hours: M-F, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m & 1:00 p.m – 2:30 p.m
- Church on the Rock, 649 Old Mill Road, Millersville. Hours: M-F 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Light of the World Ministries, 9 3rd Ave SW, Glen Burnie. Hours: M-W 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Thur 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
For regular updates on Homeless Resource Day, click the Events tab on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnneArundelCountyDepartmentOfSocialServices
[do action=”blackwall-hitch”/]
