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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 26, 201
CONTACT: Brenda Oelschlager
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“SLEEP OUT FOR HOMELESSNESS NIGHT”
SET FOR NOVEMBER 12
Keystone Opportunity Center Hosts
Community Homelessness Awareness Event
The temperatures may be cold, but the spirit of caring will be warm for those participating in the Keystone Opportunity Center “Sleep Out for Homelessness Night” on November 12. This event is the kick-off of an awareness campaign by Keystone during national “Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week” (November 12-21). More than 200 youth and families are expected to attend the Sleep Out.
As part of their effort to create awareness of these issues in the local communities, Keystone will be hosting a rally and sleep out event for community members. Many church groups, families and businesses have committed to attend or sponsor the event which also will serve as a fund-raiser for the non-profit social services group. The goal is to raise $16,800 which would provide one year of rent for a Keystone family of four.
The rally will begin on Saturday evening at 5:00p.m. at the corner of Broad and Main streets in Souderton. Youth groups and other volunteers will display signs and banners to alert passers by of the hunger and homelessness issues. Guests are welcome to join the rally and bring along food item for the Keystone Food Pantry and new twin or queen size blankets or sheet sets for Homeless Shelter families. Tours of the food pantry on Main Street will be offered to any interested community members.
Participants in the Sleep Out will hear from Keystone staff and clients, join in group activities, and learn about how they can help address the issue of homelessness. Spending the night outside in recognition of the plight of many homeless individuals will provide the volunteers with an experience guests won’t soon forget.
At 7:00p.m. the Sleep Out will begin at Zion Mennonite Church with a shelter building contest. Families and small groups will create their own cardboard shelters, something many homeless city dwellers use each night to protect themselves from the elements. While this tactic is not something common in the upper Bucks and Montgomery area, the presence of homeless in the local communities is becoming more prevalent. According to Sue Zomberg, Interfaith Hospitality Network Director , the homeless clients served by Keystone are often families living with relatives or friends, staying in hotels, campgrounds and even cars because they cannot afford housing in the area.
Keystone Opportunity Center the area’s most comprehensive social services organization serving the upper Bucks and Montgomery county area with housing programs, food pantry, education programs, counseling and more in their effort to encourage and assist individuals to achieve self-sufficiency.
To join the Sleep Out or sponsor a participant with a donation for the Keystone Opportunity Center programs, call Brenda Oelschlager at 215-723-5430x121.
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