Mayor Eric Garcetti put a call out to Angelenos Wednesday to gather donations for gift baskets that will be given to formerly homeless individuals to welcome them to their new homes.
Garcetti said he is looking for 100 volunteers to host gatherings in which family, friends and neighbors will bring household items and package them into housewarming gifts.
Participants would be asked to bring items such as dishes, bedding, cleaning supplies, kitchenware and personal hygiene products. During the gatherings, the items would be put into a laundry basket along with welcome messages written by the volunteers.
Garcetti said many people have asked how they could help with ending homelessness. In response, he “launched the Welcome Home Project to give Angelenos an opportunity to make a direct impact,” he said.
“The project reminds us that homeless residents are not statistics,” he said. “They are people with stories, families, and dreams for their futures … We can do this, but we must do it together. I am asking everyone to do their part.”
Angelenos who want to hold gift-basket-making events can sign-up here.
The baskets will need to be dropped at fire stations. Volunteers can also participate in a “Big Move In” event on June 18 to help deliver the packages by signing up here.
— City News Service