Homeless Awareness Week

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Geri Moore,Volunteer Coordinator
CARE 66, Gallup, NM
722-0066
geri@care66.org


MAYOR OF GALLUP SIGNS NATIONAL HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS
AWARENESS WEEK PROCLAMATION

(GALLUP) November 14 Gallup Mayor Harry Mendoza signed a proclamation today acknowledging November 16 -22, 2008 as National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week in Gallup.

The purpose of the proclamation is to educate the public about the many reasons people are hungry and homeless including the shortage of affordable housing in Gallup,NM for low income residents; and to encourage support for homeless assistance service providers as well as community service opportunities for individuals, groups, businesses and schools of Gallup.

Community Area Resource Enterprise (CARE 66), a local transitional and low income housing non-profit agency, is sponsoring this important effort in Gallup. The mission of CARE 66 is to create opportunities to end homelessness. This is the first time Gallup has participated in this national endeavor by promoting awareness events. National Hunger and Homelessness Week was originally proclaimed in l986 by Ronald Reagan, 40th President of The United States.

CARE 66 encourages local businesses, spiritual centers, schools, restaurants, media, civic and youth groups to participate in awareness programs by making a commitment of time and service to either CARE 66 or other local social service agencies that assist with hunger and homelessness. The proclamation partnered with: Battered Families, Inc (BFI), Veterans Administrations Shelter (VA), Tohatchi Area of Opportunity & Service (TAOS), Community Pantry and Na'Nizhoozhi Center (NCI).

Gallup residents are also encouraged to remember homeless animals and encouraged to collect blankets, bedding, food, water and toys for St. Francis Animal Sanctuary and Gallup Humane Society.

CARE 66 is seeking individuals and groups for the following events:

Candidate Homeless Challenge - a local, state, county or tribal political leader to live homeless for 24 hours; accompanied by a resident of CARE 66 as guide.
Skip A Meal Day - go without lunch and/or coffee for a day and donate monies not spent to local hunger and homelessness agencies.
Homelessness Lesson Plans - teachers, homeschoolers, youth group leaders can use prepared lesson plans for K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and high school on homelessness issues.
Winter Wear Apparel Drive - conduct a clothing drive collecting winter coats, jackets, gloves, thermal wear, scarves, hoodies, boots, and socks. Also remember the homeless animals at Gallup Humane Society Shelter and St. Francis Animal Sanctuary with bedding, blankets, housing crates, chew toys and pet food.
Faces Of Homeless Speakers Panel - invite residents of CARE 66 to speak at your organization, church or school to see and hear the experiences of currently homeless people.
Community Service Day - your group or business employees can take a day to donate their time to work at CARE 66 or other hunger and homeless agencies. Help organize a winter sale, sort clothes, prepare a meal or join residents at shelters for social hour.
Dinner Program - Purchase gift certificates from local restaurants for homeless to "dine out" in Gallup; or local restaurants "comp a meal" to homeless during November 16-22, 2008.

The following organizations and groups have signed up to be involved in The National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week: The Gallup Independent, The Gallup Journey, Chief Manuelito Middle School, Tohatchi High School, Gallup High School, Twin Lakes Elementary School, Grace Bible Church, Faith Christian Fellowship, Rehoboth Christian Reform Church, Rehoboth Middle School, Burrago Pass High School, First United Methodist Church, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, Tohatchi Area of Opportunity & Service (TAOS), Love Your Neighbor (LYN) Youth Group, Students Against Destructive Decision (SADD), UNM-Gallup Nursing School, First Baptist Church, Navajo Technical College, and The Enjean Family.

Call Geri Moore, Volunteer Coordinator, CARE 66, 1-505-722-0066; geri@care66.org to participate in National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness events in Gallup. To learn more see: www.nationalhomeless.org or www.care66.org.