Boise housing organization seeks donations for people experiencing homelessness in summer heat
With the onset of summer heat, a Boise-based housing organization is asking the public to donate emergency summer supplies to be distributed to people experiencing homelessness in Ada County.
The Boise nonprofit CATCH is seeking donations of sports drinks, reusable water bottles, socks, sleeping bags, sunblock, bug spray, bicycle lights, underwear and hygiene items for its 'Beat the summer heat' campaign, CATCH Outreach Team Lead Connor O'Hora said.
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CATCH's outreach team spends three days a week traveling through Ada County by bicycle and van delivering supplies to people experiencing homelessness.
'We've already broken the record and hit 100 degrees in May in Idaho, so we can expect a hot summer where people will be struggling with heat-related illnesses,' O'Hora said in a phone interview Tuesday. 'As we make contact, we want to be able to offer people something to keep cool and safe while they get started in the direction they feel is appropriate.'
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O'Hora said many of the items CATCH is seeking for donations can help people and families endure short-term hardships as they work with CATCH team members to get connected to additional support services like shelters, health care facilities and food banks.
With summer coming, O'Hora said the need is great and the population of people experiencing homelessness in the Treasure Valley is on the rise.
More than 1,800 households are experiencing homelessness in the Treasure Valley, CATCH estimates. The group defines households as any of the nonprofit's clients who are seeking to live together, including traditional families, single parents, individuals and couples.
Last year, CATCH ended homelessness for a record 486 people, including 223 children and 114 families, he said.
'There is a great need, and we are seeing our population growing in key demographics,' O'Hora said. 'We see our population is aging and many folks who are living in their vehicles or are staying outside had been renting for five, 10 or even 15 years and then they got priced out of their housing or it was sold to a different property management company.'
To donate, people may:
Drop off donations at the CATCH office at 503. S. Americana Blvd., in Boise from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Purchase items online through CATCH's Amazon wish list.
Visit catchidaho.org to make a financial donation.
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