Downtown Matters: 2009 Toiletry Donation Drive
Once again this fall, Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts coordinated the Toiletry Donation Drive, from October 14 – November 6. This drive, in it’s 3rd year, is an effort to help the local downtown homeless shelters prepare for the winter months. Homeless shelters enter a winter “overflow” mode from October through April, during which they accept all who come to their door and in turn are stretched beyond their capacity to provide a warm and safe environment for the homeless.
Through the Toiletry Donation Drive, Capital Crossroads and Discovery SIDs are able to provide much needed supplies to the downtown homeless shelters and help them get through the winter “overflow” months. Requests were sent to the downtown workforce throughout the SID, requesting donations of unopened travel-sized toiletries, such as shampoo, conditionar, bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream and lotion, as well as packaged undergarments, such as undershirts, socks and underwear. Donation drop boxes were set up throughout the SID, and all items will be donated to Faith Mission, Friends of the Homeless and Engagement Center at Maryhaven before Thanksgiving.
Thanks to the generosity of those living and working in both the Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts, more than 260 pounds of soap, 270 pounds of shampoo, and 115 pounds of lotion, along with many other items, will be donated. Capital Crossroads has long encouraged the generous souls of downtown to “Put Your Change Where You Can Make One”; that is, to give money and support to organizations helping the homeless rather than giving change to panhandlers downtown. This drive is another example of a great way to facilitate change.
Our thanks to the following SID members who provided a donation drop-off location: LeVeque Tower, Key Bank Building, Bricker & Eckler, Huntington Bank, Huntington Plaza, 85 Marconi Boulevard, 57 E. Main Street, 326 S. High Street, 22 E. Gay Street, 15 E. Gay Street, 140 E. Town Street, Capitol Square Office Tower, Lazarus Building, One Columbus, Fifth Third Center, The Columbus Dispatch, The Motorists Insurance Group, Seneca Apartments, Midland Building, OEA, and State Auto.
Tags: Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District, columbus, Downtown, Downtown Columbus, homeless shelters