Janet Dandeneau organizes supplies to pass out to homeless people during Salem’s 2019 point-in-time count. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)
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As stores experience a run on supplies and people hunker down to stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19, homeless service providers are facing obstacles to getting the items they need for the people they serve.
Local service providers are asking the community for help, be it through a donation of bread or sleeping bags. On Thursday, providers sent out a list detailing what they need.
The list is provided below with contact for each agency.
Taylor’s House, a home for teens and young people between 11 and 18 who are homeless or in foster care and don’t have another place to go, is asking for protein drinks, reusable water bottles and sanitizing wipes for the homeless teens it serves. Contact Program Director Tricia Ratliff at 503-391-6428.
Ratliff said her staff don’t have time to search for the in-demand supplies like Lysol spray that it needs because they’re busy caring for kids directly.
The Center for Hope and Safety, which serves victims and survivors of domestic abuse, said it needs motel vouchers because the shelter is at capacity because of social distancing. It also needs gift cards for food, non-perishable snacks and gas cards. Contact the center at 503-378-1572 or [email protected]
Simonka Place needs serving gloves, paper products like napkins and cups, 33-gallon garbage bags, juice boxes, Jell-o, bread, oatmeal, cereal, snacks like chips or Pop Tarts and wipes and laundry soap. Items can be brought to the women’s shelter on 5119 River Road N., Keizer 503-362-7487.
Union Gospel Mission created an Amazon wish list updated daily for needs the community can help with. Some of the items on the list include tea, deodorant and underwear.
The men’s shelter also needs canned food items like soups, vegetables and spaghetti sauce. It is also asking for fruit, fruit juices, potatoes and chips. Items can be brought to Men’s Mission on 345 Commercial St. N.E. 503-362-3983.
Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency needs hygiene supplies like baby wipes, masks and cleaning solutions. It also needs camping equipment like tents, sleeping bags, lanterns and water canteens. Contact Director of Program Development Dana Shultz at 503-585-6232 x 1109, or [email protected].
Shangri-La, which serves people with disabilities, is asking for hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, sanitizing wipes, goggles, masks, board games and puzzles. Contact Robin Winkle at 503-581-1732, ext. 313 or [email protected].
Be Bold Street Ministries and Church at the Park are asking for hand wipes, sleeping bags, socks and hygiene packs. Contact Be Bold Street Ministries at 971-273-8086, [email protected]. Contact Church at the Park by visiting their website.
Contact reporter Saphara Harrell: [email protected].
