Homeless Assistance Team
According to data from the 2005 Iowa Statewide Homeless Survey:
- There are about 21,280 homeless people annually in Iowa
- Nearly 6,008 homeless people find themselves homeless annually in Polk County
- Close to 50% of Iowa's homeless population are children
- Families with children make up 61% of all homeless households
- In Iowa, there are 22,636 homeless youth
What it means to be Homeless
- Not knowing where you will sleep on a given night
- Running out of friends and acquaintances who will help you out
- Sleeping in a tent, boxcar, shed or automobile
- Having no bathing or restroom facilities
- Not knowing where your next meal will come from
- Not knowing how or where to get a job
- Not having transportation to any job you might get
- Not having a telephone number a prospective employer can call
- Being easy prey to those who would abuse you
PLYMOUTH'S HOMELESS ASSISTANCE TEAM (HAT) coordinates meals, goods, and furniture distribution to assist this population, which is in need. HAT meets the second Sunday of each month at 6:00 pm and performs the following:
- Assembles 50 sack lunches for Central Iowa Shelter and Services
- Prepares and cooks 40 breakfast casseroles (delivered by the Salvation Army Canteen)
- Stocks 24 “Youth Bags,” which include personal hygiene products, seasonal items (gloves, socks, mosquito repellant) and snacks for the Iowa Homeless Youth Center
- Prepares dinner for the Buchanan House, a transitional living center for youth
Each year, Plymouth dedicates its Thanksgiving offering to HAT in order to assist in the funding of not only the food and furniture distribution programs, but also for grants designated to approximately nine local agencies, which provide food, shelter, and emergency / transitional housing to adults and children in crisis.
FURNITURE PICK-UP
To donate furniture (gently used beds, kitchen tables, chairs, etc.) call Plymouth Church at 515.255.3149 ext. 61 or email Jane Hemminger at janehemminger@gmail.com no later than the Thursday before pick-up day. Furniture is picked-up on the second Saturday of each month between 8 - 10:30 am.
FURNITURE DISTRIBUTION
The volunteer “Pick-Up Crew” meets at the U-Haul store on 63rd Street at 7:45 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month. With a list of donors and items to be picked-up, the crew runs its route. By 11 a.m. that day, they deliver all furniture donated to one of four agencies, which provide shelter or transitional housing: Anawim Housing, Home Connection, Homes of Oakridge, and Lutheran Social Services. Deliveries are rotated each month to a different agency, so each receives furniture donations from HAT three times per year.
The volunteer “Pick-Up Crew” meets at the U-Haul store on 63rd Street at 7:45 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month. With a list of donors and items to be picked-up, the crew runs its route. By 11 a.m. that day, they deliver all furniture donated to one of four agencies, which provide shelter or transitional housing: Anawim Housing, Home Connection, Homes of Oakridge, and Lutheran Social Services. Deliveries are rotated each month to a different agency, so each receives furniture donations from HAT three times per year.
VOLUNTEER HELP
If you want to help with furniture collection on the second Saturday of the month, we sure could use you! All that is needed is a healthy body and a few hours. A few more people assisting on this team would be greatly appreciated. Even if you are only available to lend a hand a few times a year, it would be appreciated. U-Haul provides the truck. If interested, contact York Taenzer at 515-321-1873.
SHELTER MEAL SERVICE
On the 26th and 27th of each month, a different board or group within Plymouth Church congregation takes care of organizing, preparing, delivering, and serving the evening meal at Central Iowa Shelter and Services (formerly Churches United Shelter). Groups include not only HAT, but the Board of Trustees, the Deacons, and Confirmations Groups.
BREAD FOR CENTRAL IOWA SHELTER AND SERVICES
Panera believes the universal spirit of bread is sharing. Every Friday night, Plymouth has committed to pick-up donated bread and pastries from Panera Bread in West Des Moines (9 p.m.), which is then delivered on Saturday morning to Central Iowa Shelter and Services. The bread is served for breakfast and to supplement other meals throughout the day. If you are interested in participating (approximately 90 minutes total), please contact Anne Koch-Gaer at 274.6750.
OTHER COMMUNITY NEEDS
Plymouth’s Homeless Assistance Team is also involved in several other community efforts:
- Participation and promotion of Reggie’s Sleepout—In 2006 the first annual Reggie’s Sleepout was held, to help raise awareness and money to address the critical problem of youth homelessness in Central Iowa. Over 600 campers at Drake Football Stadium (who slept in boxes and tents) raised nearly $60,000. In 2007, more than 800 youth and adults slept “under the stars, so others could reach them,” and doubled donations by raising over $138,000. For Reggie’s Story, click here: http://www.reggiessleepout.org/
- Coordinating “house-warming” gift boxes for youth who have turned 18 and are aging out of foster care and into independent living. Gift boxes include essentials, such at towels, utensils, and cleaning products, as well as a few personalized presents.
- Communication, coordination, and collection of personal needs (clothing), as needed.
BE A PART OF PLYMOUTH'S HOMELESS ASSISTANCE TEAM
Assembling 600 lunches a year, cooking breakfast casseroles, which will serve 2,880 over 12 months, stocking 288 “Youth Bags” annually, and making a dozen dinners for a year take a lot of resources. Not only do the casseroles take 40 pounds of cheese, 20 pounds of sausage, and 15 dozen eggs every month, they take PEOPLE for cooking and assembly.
Consider being a part of HAT. Not only are volunteers providing an important service for the community, it is an opportunity for fellowship and fun. Plymouth kids, youth, and adults take part, making a difference and having a good time while fulfilling a community need. No cooking skills are required, as there are lots of different ways to contribute, If however, you want to learn the art of cracking eggs or making a delicious peanut butter sandwich, this is the place to do it.
If you would like to participate in any or all of the above detailed activities, or have questions, contact Jane Hemminger at 490.6362.
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