Homeless Resource Day Held in Gaithersburg

County Executive Isiah Leggett was joined today (Nov. 7) by County Councilmember George Leventhal and Department of Health and Human Services Director Uma Ahluwalia at the third annual Homeless Resource Day, held at the Bohrer Activity Center in Gaithersburg. More than 300 volunteers representing more than 60 organizations offered a range of resources to residents experiencing homelessness. Services offered included free medical screenings, eye exams, legal services, tax assistance, substance abuse and mental health counseling. Free haircuts and manicures were also offered and attendees were also provided with winter clothing such as coats.

We are a community of riches, and yet there are many in our community who are in need of our help and support as they struggle with issues such as poverty, homelessness and hunger. Homeless Resource Day is a great example of many organizations and individuals coming together to help our neighbors” said Leggett.

Organizations who donated items or services to Homeless Resource Day were:

• Healthcare Initiative donated $6,500 to help with medical expenses
• Gifts for the Homeless donated over $3,827.10 worth of socks, blankets, underwear and men’s winter coats
• Starbucks provided free coffee for four hours
• Qiagen Sciences donated $3,000
• Muslim Foundation donated $1,000
• National Center for Children and Families donated socks, coats and winter gear
• Subway provided 1,100 discounted box lunches
• Nourish Now provided healthy snack bags attendees
• Interfaith works donated winter coats for adults and children
• Westat donated rolling suitcases
• Helping Hands Shelter and Pathways for Living provided shopping bags
• Home Depot Employees held a drive and provided donated winter clothes.
• Giant gave $500 in gift cards
• Sears donated new winter coats for a homeless family of eight (7 children)
• Panera Bread provided free bagels for the volunteers’ breakfast
• Whole Foods donated fresh fruit and orange juice
• Saint Rose of Lima Church donated bottled water and staffed a water station for attendees
• Soltesz Employees hosted a drive and provided winter clothing and winter gear
• Safeway donated cookies and water
• House of the Lord Church donated children’s diapers
• Women who Care Ministries donated 125 pairs of children’s shoes
• Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Rockville donated toothbrushes, toothpaste and travel emergency kits
• Knights of the Columbus purchased children’s winter jackets
• Montgomery College Students hosted a drive to collect socks
• University of Maryland School of Nursing Students hosted a drive to collect socks
• Et Pi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. donated $100 worth of Giant gift cards

During the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments one day count of the homeless population in January 2013, there were 1007 homeless individuals counted in Montgomery County. As part of its participation in the national 100,000 Homes Campaign, Montgomery County just completed Registry Week, with volunteers surveying homeless individuals from Nov. 4 through Nov. 6. Survey data will then be utilized to quickly and efficiently move the most vulnerable into permanent housing with supported services.

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