CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Carmichael HART is excited to announce its 3rd annual Holiday Homeless- Friendly Food and Non-Food Holiday Baskets Drive to benefit homeless/families with school-age children in Carmichael.

Donations such as canned meats, instant soups, diapers, and toiletries will be collected from November 1 through December 24 at the San Juan Central Enrollment and Family Resource Center McKinney Vento Office. The drop off location and time is 3700 Garfield Ave. Room 14 Carmichael, CA 95608, between 9am to12 noon and 1pm-4pm weekdays.  

A 2018 study showed nearly 3,400 students in the San Juan Unified School District to be homeless. Considering the economic impact of COVID-19 and the general 15% increase in homelessness across the regions, Carmichael HART believes the number to be significantly higher. The students and their families need our help, especially now during the holiday season.

Please consider donating the following:

Canned meats (Think beyond tuna & soup, which food banks get tons of. Instead go for canned beef, canned ham, canned chicken, canned salmon. Or hearty ready-to-go meals like beef stew and chili with meat.); Boxed meals (that require water); Low-sugar cereal such as unflavored Cheerios; Instant Soups, Instant Mac & Cheese; Cans, cartons, or boxes of powdered and evaporated milk; Snack items for kids to take to school: juice boxes, applesauce containers, granola bars, crackers, trail mix, pudding cups, fruit snacks, etc.; Diapers in sizes above newborn, plus wipes; Toiletries: toothbrushes, soap, toothpaste, lotion, shampoo & conditioner, warm socks; Can Opener, Chapstick, Band-Aids

For donation questions please contact Raham Nawar at 916-979-8874 or Edith Gonzalez at 916-979-8877.

Carmichael HART is a local all-volunteer run 501(c)3 organization dedicated to assisting the homeless in Carmichael, CA and the surrounding regions. Find out more about Carmichael HART at: carmichaelhart.org or call this author (Derek) at 916-798-2435.