A one-day survey in 2012 found 182 people in Duluth and St Louis County living on the streets: in cars, under bridges, in condemned buildings and camping in urban parks. We believe there are many people who were not counted in the survey, and the numbers are growing dramatically. They include families, unaccompanied youth, veterans, the recently jobless, and people with serious and persistent mental illness. This is a hard life at best, and extremely dangerous during northern Minnesota winters.
Loaves & Fishes recently teamed up with Human Development Center, CHUM, Salvation Army and Life House to launch a new, coordinated street outreach project. We will be combining our efforts and training a team of volunteer outreach workers to help connect people living on the streets with resources and, eventually, housing.
If you are interested in joining the volunteer street outreach team, please contact Joel at duluthcatholicworker@gmail.com or 218-724-2054. Our first training will be July 18 from 5-7pm at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (219 N 6th Ave E, Duluth).
In the meantime, we need supplies! Donations can be delivered to Dorothy Day House (1712 Jefferson, Duluth) between 9am and 9pm daily, or the Homeless Project (315 N 2nd Ave W, alley entrance) between 10am and 5pm weekdays.
Street Outreach wish list
- Two-person tents
- Tarps
- Sleeping bags
- Clean socks
- Rain gear
- DTA fare cards
- Bug repellent and sunscreen
- Granola bars and bottled water
- Personal first aid kits
- Backpacks
