Temperatures are dropping, and there’s a lot of people living outside who could use warm clothes, tents, sleeping bags, tarps, and other supplies. An easy way to help is to donate your unused cold-weather gear to community groups that will take it directly to people in need. Some department members who are involved with this kind of work have put boxes where you can drop-off supplies at the front of Bagley and by the elevator in CHB. If you don’t want to bring things to campus, you can also fill out this google form, where you can select what types of items you have to donate and get connected with a drop-off location or a volunteer who can come pick things up from you. If you have anything to offer, please consider donating – exposure and hypothermia kill many people every year, and having some of these items can make all the difference.
If you don’t have in-kind donations to offer, we highly encourage you to find a local mutual aid organization to donate to or volunteer with. There are many in Seattle; here are a few options:
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From the Heart PNW: https://www.paypal.com/
paypalme/redstipjar -
A Single Spark: Venmo @sparkSEA
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COVID-19 Mutual Aid: www.gofundme.com/f/hax9er-
covid19-survival-fund-for-the- people
Please consider donating! Even if it’s just $1, $2, or $5 dollars, donations from many people will make a difference in supplies that will go to unhoused folks. If you’re interested in volunteering with a mutual aid group, we can also point you to one that works in your neighborhood.
If you have any questions or would like to get involved, feel free to contact one of the organizers at marissakparker@gmail.com or antoniovazquez135@gmail.com. You can also subscribe to the “houselessness-outreach” channel on the UW Chemistry Union Slack.
