Wish Tree Under The Bridge - Spokane, WA
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Blessings Under the Bridge (butb.org) is an amazing outreach program that for over 15 years has been providing weekly warm meals, donated clothes, blankets and a kind word to the homeless in Spokane. Over the past few years, the Covid pandemic has pushed more and more men, women and families out of stable shelter – and BUTB has been there to help them every Wednesday, connecting them with other community resources whenever possible.
We developed a new project to support this wonderful initiative by collecting additional, specific items requested by the homeless individuals BUTB serves – anything from baby diapers and strollers to cooking pots, shoes, coats, sleeping bags or an old tent that could be used by someone on the street.
We developed a new project to support this wonderful initiative by collecting additional, specific items requested by the homeless individuals BUTB serves – anything from baby diapers and strollers to cooking pots, shoes, coats, sleeping bags or an old tent that could be used by someone on the street.
Every Wednesday, as part of the meal service, we collected individual requests, then posted them on a Signup Genius webpage, and brought all labeled donations on subsequent weeks, trying to connect with the persons requesting them.
Every Wednesday, as part of the meal service, we collected individual requests, then posted them on a Signup Genius webpage, and brought all labeled donations on subsequent weeks, trying to connect with the persons requesting them.
By the end of 2022, we distributed over 1,000 specific items requested by homeless individuals and families - while providing an environmentally sustainable way to repurpose unused household objects.
By the end of 2022, we distributed over 1,000 specific items requested by homeless individuals and families - while providing an environmentally sustainable way to repurpose unused household objects.
WISH TREE REQUEST TICKETS
STROLLER ASSEMBLY
REQUEST TICKET STATION
COOLING SPRAY BOTTLES AND HANDOUTS
HANDOUT COMPILING INFORMATION ABOUT NEW SHELTER SERVICES TO ADDRESS POSSIBLE CONCERNS
HANDOUT COMPILING INFORMATION ABOUT NEW SHELTER SERVICES TO ADDRESS POSSIBLE CONCERNS
COMMUNITY RESOURCES HANDOUTS
As of 2023 BUTB has transitioned into a new role with the Spokane Trent Shelter and we are no longer able to continue the Wish Tree program. Hopefully this is a model that can be adopted by other organizations supporting the homeless in different communities. If you are interested in starting such a program and have any questions, please contact Thomas Groza at tgroza2024@gmail.com
As of 2023 BUTB has transitioned into a new role with the Spokane Trent Shelter and we are no longer able to continue the Wish Tree program. Hopefully this is a model that can be adopted by other organizations supporting the homeless in different communities. If you are interested in starting such a program and have any questions, please contact Thomas Groza at tgroza2024@gmail.com