In Chattanooga, children comprise 25 percent of the city's homeless population, according to the Interfaith Homeless Network of Greater Chattanooga.
In an effort to raise both money and awareness, IHN will hold Chattanooga's first Camp Out To Stamp Out Family Homelessness tonight at First Tennessee Pavilion.
"If we can raise awareness about the plight homeless families face, then we will be successful," said Mary Ellen Galloway, IHN director, in a news release.
For $100 per campsite (fitting about six people), campers can set up tents or cardboard boxes to simulate the experience of not having a home of their own.
"(Participants) will get to spend the night out in the weather, so they'll get to see what that feels like," said Gary Critser, vice president of the IHN board of trustees.
A soup kitchen will be set up. Attendees are encouraged to decorate cardboard boxes for the best Box City home contest. Other activities will include a talent contest and arts and crafts.
Representatives from IHN will be on hand to speak about outreach and fundraising efforts to help the homeless population of Chattanooga. They acknowledge that one prepared night is hardly enough to give anyone a true view of what it is like to be homeless but hope to increase awareness among more members of the local community.
"I think what it will bring is an awareness," Mr. Critser said. "I don't think it will give a complete visualization of (what it's like to be homeless). It's kind of one day in the life, so hopefully that will carry on and these young people will volunteer at different venues around town."
For more information on volunteering to help Chattanooga's homeless families, contact the Interfaith Homeless Network of Greater Chattanooga at 756-3891 or the Chattanooga Homeless Coalition at 752-4807.
IF YOU GO
* What: Camp Out To Stamp Out Family Homelessness.
* When: 5 p.m. today-7 a.m. Saturday.
* Where: First Tennessee Pavilion, 1826 Carter St.
* Admission: $100 per campsite.
* Phone: 746-3891.
* Web site: www.ihnchattanooga.org.
Holly Leber is a reporter and columnist for the Life section. She has worked at the Times Free Press since March 2008. Holly covers “everything but the kitchen sink" when it comes to features: the arts, young adults, classical music, art, fitness, home, gardening and food. She writes the popular and sometimes-controversial column Love and Other Indoor Sports. Holly calls both New York City and Saratoga Springs, NY home. She earned a bachelor of arts ...
Or login with:
New Account