BikePGH’s Public Allies Fellow Bridgette is helping the homeless this season and you can too.

By Bridgette Wright

I’m calling all cyclists to join me in giving back this season by donating specific items that will benefit homeless people living in our city. Also, I am looking for people willing to interact with some of our homeless neighbors while passing out bags filled with basic need items by bicycle.

Deliver Care Packs by bike on Dec. 23 and 27th

Contribute to Care Packs

In the United States, over 3.5 million people experience homelessness each year. In Pittsburgh alone, there are almost 1,500 homeless people at a time, with at least 250 of them permanently unsheltered, even in the winter months. Every year more people and families from underserved communities face homelessness–losing your home with nowhere to go is such a horrific tragedy.

When someone becomes displaced they lose everything because they can only take what they could carry. The homeless sleep outside, they scramble for food, and they lose out on essential things. Homelessness also causes emotional damage, traumatic stress, mental illnesses, and even suicide. Someone you walk by everyday knows and experiences this very thing.

With Care Packs, the homeless people of Downtown Pittsburgh, and the North Shore will be reminded that people do care, and are willing to help out.

As a human and a Pittsburgh Public Ally, I feel the need to help where my heart is lead. During this year’s season of giving, I am asking you to give to the people who need it the most by donating everyday necessities to fill Care Packs for the homeless.

The items we will be collecting from now until December 22nd are:

deodorant (men/woman)
toothbrushes
toothpaste
wash cloths
hand sanitizer
razors
soap
socks
pads / tampons
hair ties
shampoo
towel
book bags
tote bags

Because a lot of the places where the homeless set up shelters are not car accessible, I’m looking for volunteers to hand out bags on bikes Wednesday December 23rd from 5-7, and December 27th from 3-5. We will be meeting at West Park, right by CCAC (Northside) on the 23rd at 5 pm to disperse bags through the udeerpasses of the North Shore, by the stadiums, and the streets of downtown. On Sunday December 27th, we will be meeting at Doughboy Square, at 3pm, right by the statue to disperse bags by the 31st Bridge and the Strip District.

Please contact me to volunteer:

If you are interested in helping, please e-mail me at bridgette@bikepgh.org. Any donations can be sent to or dropped off at the BikePGH office located at 188 43rd St, 15201. If you have any other questions or concerns, please call my cell at 412-467-6304.

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