The City of Long Beach is doubling down on its efforts to give a helping hand to its homeless residents, pressing on with a donation drive designed for locals to provide practical support. Announced in a recent statement, Mayor Rex Richardson reaffirmed the city's dedication, "We remain committed to helping support our neighbors experiencing homelessness," and called upon the community's spirit of generosity to keep the momentum going. Allegedly, just over the past year, good Samaritans have answered the call donating a cornucopia of items ranging from food and blankets to pet supplies, according to the City of Long Beach.
Coming up on Saturday, March 9, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services will transform its Main Facilities Center at 2525 Grand Ave. into a donation hub from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event encourages citizens to bring essential items for those without a roof over their heads. Officials indicated, shared by a press release from the City, that this quarter's most needed donations include hygiene kits, filled backpacks, pet care goodies, various clothing items, and kits bearing hopeful handwritten messages.
The city isn't turning away from gently used items either; those too are welcomed with open arms. However, while the drive-thrus are a no-go for gift cards, the Multi-Service Center (MSC) is willing to set up a time for these to be dropped off if donors give them a call at 562.570.4586. The City's charitable act seems to be a marathon, with no intentions of this being a sprint, judging by the over 35,000 donations already tallied since this endeavor's kick-off in early 2023, as per the City of Long Beach.
Those missing out on the drive-thru event can still contribute via donation bins scattered across the city. Strategically placed at public libraries and select community centers, these bins stand ready to collect essential items, provided by Long Beach's generous citizens. The Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach and Scherer Park Community Center make the list as two of the convenient drop-off locations, open for a range of hours to accommodate even the busiest of donors. According to the City's communication channels, follow @lbhealthdept and @longbeachcity on social media for updates on Long Beach's endeavors to fight homelessness, and use the hashtag #EveryoneHomeLB to stay informed or show your support.
