Provide beds for 300 kids sleeping on the floor

Dear Beds for Kids Supporters,

What makes your house feel like a home? For the folks we serve, it’s the basics: a dresser, table, pots and pans, and beds for their children. For these two adorable siblings, it’s having their very own cups and a comfy place to sit. In the past three months, we redistributed 375 twin beds and 382 twin sheet sets to ensure health and comfort for kids in need. THANK YOU so much for helping us turn empty houses into happy, healthy homes for local families!

To recap the past few months: May of 2013 was the best month in Warehouse history. We served a total of 261 families between both Warehouses. Also in May, our founder Roz received the Portland Peace Prize from Madison High School’s Peace Studies class. Through her efforts, the Warehouse is breaking down barriers to peace, democracy, and sustainability in our community.

In July, we kicked off our Summer HomeMaker Campaign with a goal of increasing our number of HomeMakers to 75 by September 22^nd. HomeMakers are monthly donors who provide sustaining income to keep the Warehouse doors open, allowing us to serve families all year round, 7 days a week. We received this quote from one of our current HomeMakers:

"We're on a fixed income, so we're careful about where we give. There are so many great causes that are out there. One of the things that attracted us to Community Warehouse is that you do such a good job of directly serving the local community. It's the belief in what you're doing." - Warehouse HomeMaker, June 2013

Our Westside Warehouse is exceeding expectations in its second year, having already served twice as many families so far in 2013 than in 2012! We also recently started a program called Community MED (Medical Equipment Donations) on the Westside, expanding our redistributed inventory to include crutches, wheelchairs, and more medical durables. Recently, a case worker picked up a wheelchair at the Warehouse for a child whose family could not afford medical equipment. He had been unable to walk for months. The case worker claimed this would be “better than Christmas” for the young boy. This and many other gifts of comfort and health are made possible because of your donations!

As summer releases its hold on Portland, we need your support. With the school year rapidly approaching, children need safe beds and alarm clocks to make sure they can have a good night’s sleep and get to school on time. For children without furniture and household basics, bringing friends over to an empty house can be stigmatizing. Families living without blankets, towels, and cookware especially have a difficult time during cold winters.

You can help by giving at any amount, donating furniture, or becoming a HomeMaker (check out our website for more information: http://www.communitywarehouse.org). We’re also looking for new partnerships at our Westside location. If you are connected with a church, school, or other organization with advocates who come in contact with vulnerable populations, please refer them to us!

Thank you for helping to ensure safety, comfort, and hope for local families in need.