The COVID-19 pandemic has left more people on the verge of homelessness or being displaced from their homes altogether.
Starting Monday through April 3, the Montrose County Democratic Party will be collecting essential items for western Colorado housing resources to be distributed to those who are or are about to become homeless. The Democratic Party will also accept monetary donations made to Housing Resources in western Colorado during the fundraiser.
“To me, a political party is like any other non-profit organization that is involved in a community,” said chairman Kevin Kuns.
“Public relations is a year-round thing. If you really care about our community, it’s about more than just letting someone vote. It is important that we show what we are doing. There’s no point just showing up every two years for four months (during the campaigns), reporting back and then disappearing. “
The party’s recently formed outreach committee initially held a month-long food campaign for sharing ministries. The current Housing Resource Collection is the second initiative since the Outreach Committee began efforts.
Western Colorado’s residential resources span several west coast counties, including Montrose.
“When COVID hit the Montrose office, we found that many more people had been negatively impacted by losing their job or vacation. You were on the verge of becoming homeless, ”said Marisa Felix-Campbell, Marketing and Communications Manager at Housing Resources.
Others had already lost housing.
At the same time, COVID-19 restrictions reduced the shelter’s capacity for guests and also affected many other nonprofits that help the homeless.
In addition, people who could usually turn to family members for help found that those relatives were also having a hard time due to the pandemic.
“It was really quite a crisis,” said Felix-Campbell.
Housing Resources worked with others to develop a hotel voucher program. Since April last year, urgently needed people have been able to contact Housing Resources or another non-profit organization can contact Housing Resources on their behalf. Currently 13 of the vouchers are being used.
The voucher does not represent long-term accommodation, but gives people time, from one night to several weeks, depending on the situation.
There are also food boxes from Shepherd’s Hand and a convenience and hygiene box provided by Housing Resources.
“These boxes are really important,” said Felix-Campbell, adding that they help meet needs that no one has expected for so long.
“This is a community collaboration. We may be the unit capable of taking them to a hotel, but we are trying to connect them to resources in the community. “
The Montrose County Democratic Party collects special items for the hygiene and comfort boxes. These are:
Underwear for Men, Women and Children – All Sizes;
• Men’s, women’s and children’s socks in all sizes;
• Gas cards in USD 20 denominations;
• Travel size hygiene products that can be easily packaged, including: oral hygiene products; Body and skin care (soap, detergent and hair care products);
Antiperspirants and deodorants; Feminine hygiene products; Travel-size personal care kits (available from City Market, Walmart, Target or Amazon);
• Tracfone Motorola E6 16GB Black, Wal Mart (US $ 39.88), which provides an essential link to other services that require online access;
• 30-day prepaid plan for Tracfone $ 20 Smartphone Unlimited Talk & Text (available from Walmart or Target);
• Donate money to HRWC.
“It gives people what they need in a dignified manner,” said Felix-Campbell. “It’s hard to ask or say I need help. It wasn’t their fault that COVID happened. “
Items will be picked up from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Democratic Party Headquarters, 11 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from March 11 to April 3.
Volunteers and donors have positioned the party to allow this type of contact, Kuns said. “Because of the very generous people in the church, we can pay it up. It’s really rewarding, ”he said.
“It’s wonderful that they reached out to us and really wanted to help the community in some way,” said Felix-Campbell. “They raise funds, but also ask the community to provide (items). The items in the boxes are really needed urgently. “
For information on Housing Resources in Western Colorado and its services, visit hrwco.org.
Katharhynn Heidelberg is the assistant editor and senior writer for the Montrose Daily Press. Follow her on Twitter, @kathMDP.
