As reported in the news recently, Heartside Park “Tent City” has seen an increase in individuals experiencing homelessness and utilizing tents in the park to provide shelter from the bitter cold. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, homelessness has increased in the Grand Rapids area and it’s reported that there are upwards of 100 people currently living at Heartside Park. As the winter weather approaches, these individuals are in great need of clothing, sleeping bags, and toiletries.
In The Image will be hosting a Donation Drive from now until December 23rd. We will be dropping off what is collected in the afternoon of Wednesday, December 23. Please join us this holiday season, warming bodies and hearts in this cold weather.
Please call their office at 616-456-6150 or email agarcia@intheimage.orgto schedule your drop off appointment.
What is Needed:
Please consider donating the following new items:
- New Warm Winter Socks – Men’s and Women’s separated, all sizes
- New Long underwear – Men’s and Women’s separated, all sizes
- New Underwear – Men’s and Women’s separated, all sizes
- New heavy winter gloves – Men’s and Women’s separated, all sizes
- New Blankets – all sizes
- Sleeping Bags
- Ground mats Unopened Deodorant – Men’s and Women’s
- Unopened Bars of soap
- Unopened Baby Wipes
- Unopened Adult Diapers
- Unopened Mouthwash
They will not be accepting other items at this time due to a decrease in volunteer hands and trying to do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Anything that goes above and beyond the need at Heartside Park will be used for In The Image’s emergency services and survival sacks.
How to Give
Express Giving at In The Image is by appointment only due to COVID-19. During Express Giving appointments we will be social distancing. Individuals with appointments will pull up through the gated parking lot, exit their vehicle with a mask, and unload items into the labeled donation boxes directly inside of the garage door. Drop off appointments will be made every fifteen minutes to give each donor time to unload and sort items into the bins available labeled undergarments/linens and personal hygiene.
Please call their office at 616-456-6150 or email agarcia@intheimage.org schedule your drop off appointment.
Appointments can be made Monday -Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. If you’re unable to shop for the needed items but would like to contribute financially, please send checks to In The Image at 1823 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 or give online.