On any night in our community, hundreds of men, women and children do not spend the night in their own homes. They stay with friends and relatives, in shelters, abandoned buildings, tents and cars. Many sleep outside - seeking whatever shelter they can find. The pandemic has been devastating for those without homes. Food insecurity has become a major issue and the public buildings many people relied on for warmth and to maintain their personal hygiene are no longer accessible.
Gimme Shelter is an event hosted by Phoenix Community Development Services to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those in our community without homes and to give our citizens an opportunity to help end homelessness in Central Illinois.
Gimme Shelter will be held on the evening of February 19, 2021. Community members raise funds for the “privilege” of spending the night, from 6:00 pm in the evening until 6:00 am the next morning, outside in a cardboard box or in their car. For those comfortable attending in person, a socially distanced event will be held at the RiverPlex.
Volunteers are needed to assist with event set up.
