Winter is tough for unhoused people in Phoenix. Here's how to help
With the Valley's nighttime temperatures dipping below 40 degrees, the weather is once again becoming a major challenge for people without a home.
On Jan. 24, there were more than 9,000 people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County. More than half were living on the street.
“It’s always just a constant struggle to stay warm through the night,” said Austin Davis, founder of AZ Hugs for the Houseless. That, combined with loneliness during the holidays, can make winters especially hard for unhoused people, he said.
The Arizona Republic compiled a list of organizations that work with the unsheltered population and how you can help support them.
How to help
As temperatures drop, sleeping bags, blankets, hand warmers and cold-weather clothing are in high demand, said service providers who aid unsheltered people.
Gift cards to eateries such as McDonald’s, Starbucks or Subway are doubly valuable as they provide both a meal and a ticket to warm up inside, said Katherine Kouvelas-Edick, founder and CEO of Aris Foundation.
Even dog food and old camping equipment are coveted items.
“I tell everybody, the easiest way to donate to us is just to clean out your closet,” Kouvelas-Edick said.
Donate to Phoenix’s unhoused population through the following organizations.
About: Founded in 1984 by two Holy Cross priests, Andre House offers evening meal service Saturday through Thursday, hospitality services, showers, a clothing closet and ministry services to anyone who enters.
Address: 213 S. 11th Ave., Phoenix.
Needs: Blankets, sweatshirts, pants, shoes and underwear. Donations can be dropped off at the Hospitality Center at 213 S. 11 Ave. in Phoenix.
To make a financial donation, visit www.andrehouse.org/donate or mail a check to P.O. Box 2014, Phoenix, AZ 85001.
About: Aris Foundation was established in 2016 to care for homeless young adults within the East Valley, but has since expanded its mission to include all people in need, housed or unhoused. It provides food, clothing and hygiene items, including a weekly hot meal on Tuesdays.
Address: 475 E. Joseph Way, Gilbert.
Needs: Sleeping bags, hand warmers, cold-weather clothing (used or new), dog food, dog leashes, camping gear or restaurant gift cards. Donations can be dropped off at the foundation's weekly meal on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Mountain Park Health Center at 1840 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, or any time at 475 E. Joseph Way, Gilbert, or 1425 E. Libra Drive, Tempe.
About: AZ Hugs for the Houseless is an initiative of Arizona Jews for Justice that delivers care packages, food, water, tents and special request items every week to people who are unsheltered in the Phoenix area.
Address: 7580 E. Gray Road, Unit 102, Scottsdale.
Needs: Hotel gift cards for families in need while they await more permanent shelter. Gift cards, as well as blankets, tents, and cold-weather clothing (new or used) can be dropped off at the organization’s weekly picnic from 3 to 5 p.m. Sundays at the Salvation Army at 714 S. Myrtle Ave., Tempe.
AZ Hugs for the Houseless will also be posting an Amazon wish list on its Instagram for holiday gifts for people experiencing homelessness. For more information, go to its website or follow its Instagram page, @azhugs.
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About: Feed Phoenix is a volunteer-run community support organization that is dedicated to ending hunger and food insecurity through direct action, community organizing and intersectional activism. It provides direct cash and supplies such as hygiene items, pet care goods, period products and more.
Address: Every week, Feed Phoenix hosts community support events throughout the city. You can find the times and addresses at the Feed Phoenix website.
Needs: Feed Phoenix is holding a blanket drive until Jan. 6 and is seeking donations of blankets, jackets, sleeping bags, tarps and winter items for adults. Items can be dropped off at Linger Longer Lounge, Frances Boutique or Cha Cha’s Tea Lounge in Phoenix, or at TONI&GUY salon in Tempe Marketplace. Monetary donations can also be made online at https://www.feedphoenix.org/donate.
Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS)
About: CASS is the largest and longest-serving homeless emergency shelter provider in Arizona. It has shelters for single adults, families, older adults and people who are medically fragile, and serves the entire Phoenix area.
Address: 230 S. 12th Ave., Phoenix.
Needs: CASS has an extensive list of items it needs, including sweatshirts, sweatpants and other warm clothing, as well as new undergarments for women, men and children. To donate items, contact Eva Palacios at epalacios@cassaz.org or 602-256-6945, extension 1725.
Monetary or in-kind donations, including donations of vehicles, cryptocurrency, and transferred stocks, can be made online at https://www.cassaz.org/help/. Donors can also text the word HOME to 345345 to donate.
About: The Human Services Campus is a nonprofit organization and collaborative that provides a variety of support services for people experiencing homelessness, including social support services, job assistance, behavioral health and legal services.
Address: 204 S. 12th Ave., Phoenix.
Needs: Twin-size new or like-new blankets, warm clothing, men’s pants and underwear, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and deodorant.
The campus is also in need of volunteers to help sort clothing. For volunteer opportunities or to schedule a drop-off of goods, email volunteer@hsc-az.org or call 602-282-0849.
Financial donations can be made online at www.hsc-az.org.
About: Justa Center is a nonprofit that provides life-sustaining resources, services and support for older adults experiencing homelessness.
Address: 1001 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix.
Needs: Gloves, scarves, and beanies in both men's and women's sizes, as well as year-round items such as toilet paper, underwear and nonperishable pantry items.
Donations can be dropped off on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Monetary donations can be made online at justacenter.org.
About: Social Spin is a community laundromat and nonprofit that provides free laundry services, showers, workforce development and more to people experiencing homelessness.
Addresses: 2418 E. Portland St., Phoenix, and 1225 E. Southern Ave., Mesa.
Needs: Gently used warm clothes, blankets, athletic shoes and thick socks of all sizes; laundry products, like soap and dryer sheets; and body towels and hygiene care items like shavers, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Social Spin said its customers also love home-baked treats.
Donations can be dropped off at either of Social Spin’s two locations. Mesa location donation hours are 6 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. daily. Phoenix location donation hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
About: Founded in 1946, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul operates dozens of support programs, including shelter and transitional housing, food assistance, medical and dental care, workforce readiness services and more.
Address: Multiple locations throughout Arizona.
Needs: Winter clothing, especially for men and especially jeans, as well as full-size or travel toiletries, toys, underwear and shoes.
Donations can be dropped off at 2120 S. Third Drive, Phoenix, or at any of the organization’s thrift store locations.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is also in need of volunteers after Christmas to prepare food, serve meals, sort through thrift store donations and work in the bike shop. Register to volunteer at www.stvincentdepaul.net/volunteer. Financial donations can be made at https://www.stvincentdepaul.net/give/arizona-charitable-tax-credit or through the organization’s Feed the Valley holiday drive at the register of any Albertsons or Safeway grocery store statewide.
About: A New Leaf provides shelter to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and domestic violence across the Valley.
Address: 2245 W. Ella St., Building A, Mesa.
Needs: Shelf-stable food, new shoes for adults, new pots and pans, small appliances (such as microwaves and coffee makers) towels and hygiene items (such as soap and deodorant). Donations can be dropped off at A New Leaf’s Mesa Donation Center at 2245 W. Ella St., Building A, Mesa.
To make a financial donation, visit https://www.turnanewleaf.org/Donate/ or mail a check to 868 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ, 85203.
Former Republic reporter Amy Qin contributed to this article.
Juliette Rihl covers housing insecurity and homelessness for The Arizona Republic. She can be reached at jrihl@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @julietterihl.
Coverage of housing insecurity on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Arizona Community Foundation.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How to help Arizonans experiencing homelessness during the winter
