Sacramento homeless crisis seems overwhelming. But there are ways you can help. Here’s how
With an estimated 9,300 people homeless on any given night in Sacramento County, it can feel overwhelming to know how to help. The city and county have roughly 2,300 shelter beds, all of which are typically full.
The Sacramento region has numerous organizations seeking financial and volunteer help, ranging from a nonprofit that has more than 1,000 volunteers serving meals, to a large shelter on a former Air Force base, to a volunteer effort organized by a nun who delivers hot chocolate and coffee on bikes.
Here are a few ways you can help those in need:
Founded in 1983, Sacramento Loaves & Fishes is the largest and among the longest-established non-profits assisting homeless people in Sacramento. The organization welcomes donations. You also can volunteer to help serve meals. Loaves & Fishes more than 1,000 volunteers serve an estimated 150,000 meals annually at its River District location.
The organization has several additional programs it operates. Anneke’s Haven serves as a kennel for pets of unhoused people. Loaves & Fishes also has a needs list it publishes on its website soliciting donations of specific items such as boots and water bottles.
donate via website: https://sacloaves.org or call 916-637-2450
The Sacramento Homeless Union is an activist organization that provides equipment, clothing, and supplies to folks living on the streets in Sacramento. The organization welcomes financial donations and supplies.
Contact: sacramento.homeless.union@gmail.com or call/text 916-495-9026
https://www.sacramentohomelessunion.org/
Sacramento SOUP (Solidarity of Unhoused People) is a spinoff of the Sacramento Homeless Union which focuses on providing aid with an activist spirit. One of Sacramento SOUP’s current focuses is on providing aid to Camp Resolution, a homegrown safe encampment that The Sac Bee has reported on. Camp occupants lobbied the city for a lease that guarantees people cannot be moved until every resident has been placed into permanent, stable housing. Sacramento SOUP is seeking volunteers to help with aiding Camp Resolution.
The organization can be reached via email at: sacsoup916@gmail.com
https://www.sacsoup.org/
Saint John’s Program for Real Change provides 300 women and children transitional housing through a comprehensive 12-18 month residential program that also offers counseling and other support services. Saint John’s seeks both donations and accepts volunteers for a variety of tasks from working in the kitchen to helping with childcare.
The organization can be reached through their website at https://saintjohnsprogram.org/
Volunteers of America Northern California operates seven emergency shelters in the Sacramento region, including The X Street Navigation Center, which has 100 beds for single adults, and the 12-bed Open Arms Shelter, serving adults diagnosed as HIV-positive or who are living with AIDS. Volunteers of America Northern California has volunteer opportunities ranging from Operation Backpack which helps children prepare for success in school to assisting with birthday parties for homeless children.
To volunteer or donate, visit https://www.voa-ncnn.org
Next Move Homeless Services operates multiple shelters housing almost 700 people nightly. Shelters include a facility it operates under contract with Sacramento County at the former Mather Air Force base,as well as shelters and transitional housing for families. The non-profit welcomes tax-deductible donations as well gently used items.
Next Move Homeless Center can be reached at (916) 443-2646 or via their website at https://www.nextmovesacramento.org/contact-us/
Founded by a nun, Sister Libby Fernandez, Mercy Pedalers has around 100 volunteers who ride adult tricycles and bikes, distributing water, assorted supplies, coffee, hot chocolate and cheer around Sacramento. The all volunteer non-profit run by Fernandez accepts donations and volunteers who have their own bicycles.
Contact Mercy Pedalers at (916) 879-5581 or LMFernandez@sistersofmercy.org
https://mercypedalers.com/
