Two Nonprofits in Los Angeles Partner to Bring Holiday Spirit to Homeless Population
Listen to this articleCommunity Nest Foundation will be handing out 2,000 sneakers at Los Angeles Mission’s annual Thanksgiving celebration
The holiday season is upon us, and Los Angeles-area residents are preparing their meals, family gatherings, shopping and more. Unfortunately, there’s a significant sized population that doesn’t participate in these luxuries – the 69,000+ people in Los Angeles County that are homeless, which accounts for roughly a quarter of all unsheltered homeless people in the nation.
Unlike most nonprofits that exist to serve only one population or group, there’s a nonprofit in Beverly Hills that’s taking an unorthodox approach to helping not only the LGBT+ community but also the surrounding communities at large, including the homeless.
“While Community Nest Foundation was founded at the onset to support the LGBT+ community, we are also invested in advocating for the community at large – for humanity,” said Griffin Graham, founder and president of Community Nest Foundation. “Our aspirations are to culminate a society in which everyone is treated with fairness, equality and respect; a place where individuals can reach their full potential and be able to count on one other to advance forward in life.”
In collaboration, Community Nest Foundation and Los Angeles Mission are devoted to bringing holiday spirit to homeless families and individuals in Los Angeles. Community Nest Foundation has gathered 2,000 pairs of leather sneakers that will be handed out during Los Angeles Mission’s annual Thanksgiving celebration which will be held Wednesday, November 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Los Angeles Mission (303 E. 5th Street, Los Angeles, 90013). In addition to sneakers, CNF is also gathering clothing, food and monetary donations.
“We’re on a mission to break the cycle of homelessness,” said Troy Vaughn, President of Los Angeles Mission. “We seek to help those who have been abused and neglected to find a better life. We seek to help those who have become addicted to understand their addictions, to expect physical healing and to live in ways that are healthy to soul, mind and body.”
“Supporting disenfranchised community members is our priority first and foremost which is why we are beyond grateful to support Los Angeles Mission and L.A.’s unhoused community during the holiday season,” said Graham. “Our mission is to prioritize humanity in every community. Our hope is that brand-new sneakers, combined with compassion and other much-needed donations, will make a positive difference in a population of people who truly need it.”
Leading up Los Angeles Mission’s annual Thanksgiving celebration, Community Nest Foundation and Los Angeles Mission are encouraging the public to donate much-needed items to contribute to the holiday spirit of the community.
Gift-In-Kind Donations that are still needed include:
- Thanksgiving Turkeys (2,500)
- Canned Vegetables (10,000)
- King’s Hawaiian Rolls (4,000)
- Pumpkin Pie/Sweet Potato Pie (2,500)
- Apple Pie (2,500)
- Whipped Cream (1,000)
- Beverages (4,000)
- Water (4,000)
- To-Go Containers (10,000)
