Today is World Homeless Day

The North Central Florida Alliance for the Homeless and Hungry will be participating in the ninth annual World Homeless Day, which is today, October 10.

According to their website, World Homeless Day’s purpose is to “draw attention to homeless people’s needs locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness.”

“World Homeless Day is an opportunity to shed some light on the many struggling homeless individuals and families living in our community,” said UWNCFL President & CEO, Mona Gil de Gibaja. “People all over the world are just one emergency away from losing everything they’ve worked hard for, and that’s something we’re determined to prevent. And for those who are currently homeless, working with our community and government partners, we hope to help them get permanent housing.”

In July 2018, United Way of North Central Florida (UWNCFL) became the lead agency of the North Central Florida Alliance for the Homeless and Hungry (Alliance).

Currently there are 735 people who are homeless in the Alliance’s service area of Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Putnam counties. That number includes individuals, families and youth. Additionally, 114 people have been assigned to an agency for services. Since the beginning of this year, 73 people have been permanently housed in Alachua, and the surrounding counties through rapid rehousing (66 people) and permanent supportive housing (7 people) programs.

To participate in World Homeless Day, we are asking that community members donate travel-sized toiletries and other items to be distributed during the annual Point-in-Time count in January 2020. For a complete list of suggested donation items, please visit www.ncfalliance.org/pitdonation.

For more information about the North Central Florida Alliance for the Homeless and Hungry, please visit www.ncfalliance.org. For more information about World Homeless Day, please visit www.worldhomelessday.org.

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