Interfaith Outreach Optimistic to Exceed Sleep Out Campaign Goal
Some local nonprofits are seeing unprecedented need this year, which makes meeting fundraising goals even more important. But staff members at Plymouth-based Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners say they’re confident they’ll exceed their goal of $2.6 million during their annual eight-week Sleep Out event.
“With this goal being met, for $917 a month, we can provide a family to stay living and make sure they don’t get evicted or put into homelessness,” said Deb Lande, marketing and communications director for Interfaith Outreach.
Lande says the nonprofit serves about 2,000 families a year. The Sleep Out campaign is about 40% of its annual budget.
The annual event began mid-November and wraps up this week. It started 25 years ago by Bob Fisher. His goal was to create empathy and awareness to those who are homeless.
Bob Fisher helped start Sleep Out campaign
In past years, groups of people have slept in tents, boxes and cars. But due to COVID-19, more participants have opted to sleep at home either on the couch or floor. This year, more than 2,000 people participated in the annual event.
“Many times when individuals are struggling they’ll have to choose between buying food or paying rent,” said Lande. “They’ll come here to the food shelf to augment budget. We’re definitely seeing individuals making really really hard choices right now.”
In this 25-year history, Sleep Out has prevented homelessness 34,281 times.
Lande explained that the funds provide food shelf, employment and case management services.
There’s also an anonymous donor that’s matching every gift of $100 or more between now and midnight on Dec. 31.
To learn more about homelessness: Shedding Light on Homelessness — a Two-Part Series
