After transitioning into permanent housing, formally homeless individuals are gaining a fresh start. Because most of their income is going towards rent, these seniors find it difficult to afford daily essentials, personal care items, and household items such as bedding, towels, shower curtains, cookware, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and more. The Older Homeless Adult Program Welcome Baskets will assist older adults who have identified permanent housing successfully and are transitioning from homelessness. The proposed project will help improve existing racial and economic disparities for people ages 60 and older by providing formerly homeless older adults with a financial reprieve from the expense of setting up the basics in their new homes.
The project specifically targets support for older adults ages 60-plus residing in communities throughout the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Isle of Wight and Southampton counties. The gift baskets will allow for individuals budgeting on fixed incomes to save money on the necessities they require to establish a new home. Many of the formerly homeless do not have extra funds to purchase essentials because funds are allocated to cover food and rent. Although it may seem like a small token, these baskets will provide several months’ worth of items to maintain a healthy, clean, and comfortable home. We envision that the project will have a positive and lasting impact on making communities across South Hampton Roads and Western Tidewater Virginia more livable for the aging population as they resettle into stable living situations.
Baskets will need to contain the following new items, and can be assembled prior to dropping off at Senior Services office location. We plan to assist 35 homeless older adults find permanent housing this year, but any number of basket donations may be made to aid this project:
- laundry basket
- twin/queen sheet set
- twin/queen blanket/comforter
- pillow
- hangers
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- shampoo/conditioner
- soap – hand
- soap - body
- soap - dish
- soap - laundry
- cookware (frying pan/small pot)
- baking sheet
- towels – kitchen
- plates/bowls (2-4)
- glasses/cups (2-4)
- set of silverware
- set of 2 hand towels
- set of 2 bath towels
- set of 2 wash clothes
- shower curtain rings
- shower curtain/liner
- cleaner - multi-surface disinfectant
- sponges
- hand sanitizer
- small trashcan
- paper towel (2-4 rolls minimum)
- toilet paper (4-6 rolls minimum)
- can opener
- broom with dustpan
- mop with bucket
We thank you for your consideration as you choose your day of caring projects.
