The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all our lives in tremendous and unprecedented ways…
But nowhere has its effect been more palpable than on the homeless population.
Which is why among our biggest fundraising ideas in 2020, distributing hygiene kits became our most pressing mission.
During the course of the pandemic, Humanity Heroes pivoted to supply 20,000+ unsheltered homeless residents with the hygiene supplies they need to stay safe. Helping people was top of mind especially when the public was worried about the pandemic affecting the homeless population, who were the most vulnerable people in need.
In April of 2020, we donated t17,000 facemasks to local Los Angeles shelters in need of PPE. We also donated to the Hollywood Food Coalition, Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles, Emmanuel Baptist Church, My Friends House Foundation, Los Angeles Mission, Midnight Mission and Union Rescue Mission.
In June of 2020, we distributed 5,000 hygiene kits to help people in need, including youth and unsheltered adults.
Each kit included hand sanitizer, as well as a toothbrush and toothpaste, hand towel, bar of soap, shampoo, razors, and deodorant.
By donating to Skid Row Housing Trust, Covenant House California, My Friends House Foundation and the City of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation, we were able to get these hygiene essentials into the hands and helping people of those in need.
You can view a recap of the donation drop off here.
Our Partnership with Covenant House
Humanity Heroes was also the hygiene kit sponsor for the Covenant House 2019 online virtual gala to give back to unsheltered youth during the pandemic.
And the facts are startling…
Within the first two weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic shut down in Los Angeles, 70% of homeless youth became unemployed.
Our goal was to provide essentials that would help these young people in need get ready for potential upcoming job opportunities…
And we were able to donate 1,500 hygiene kits through this partnership.
Our Partnership with Skid Row Housing Trust
In 2020, we also formed a new partnership with Skid Row Housing Trust, an organization that provides permanent supportive housing to the unsheltered community throughout Los Angeles.
We were able to donate 1,700 hygiene kits – enough to provide to every one of the residents they house.
And we also learned some valuable information about the obstacles – and opportunities – facing this population.
During an interview with their Vice President Jet Doye, we asked what was the biggest hurdle for people trying to secure housing in California.
Mrs. Doye responded by advocating for “affordable housing in your local neighborhood, city, county, state and federal government level.” She also mentioned that the “Low income tax credit” presented a huge obstacle.
As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for homeless people, we will continue to advocate for change that makes it easier for every human to put a roof over their head.
And in the meantime, we’re here to do everything in our power to improve their lives along the way.
Give back to the community by caring for the homeless during COVID-19.
Explore our mission here.
Our Partnership with The City of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation
During the onset of the pandemic in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Parks and Recreation was in need of providing face masks and hygiene items for the shelter locations they were building out to allow the unsheltered to shelter in place.
Humanity Heroes donated 1,000 KN95 and cloth masks and 1,500 Hygiene Kits. All the face masks and hygiene kits were donated to people in need at the shelters to help curb the spread of COVID-19 and allow them to shelter in place with the necessary safety precautions.
This partnership was a great way to help the local city government in Los Angeles when they needed help in an urgent situation. The outcome of this partnership led Humanity Heroes to be officially recognized by the Mayor of Los Angeles and for our continued efforts with our annual Humanity Pack program and our COVID-19 donation efforts to give back to people in need. Compassion is our power and even during difficult times our priority is about finding ways to make the homeless feel like we can give back by having the community share their humanity and give hope.
Share your humanity today by either signing up to volunteer or donate.
