The Salvation Army is partnering with the Municipality of Anchorage to ensure that many of the homeless residents who have been camping at Centennial Park Campground are able to find shelter.
Roughly 200 people are camping at the public park, which has been designated as a temporary alternative to the scattered illegal campsites throughout the city.
While the Anchorage is providing security and amenities for campers, the site was the scene of an crime earlier this week when a man allegedly shot at police in the park. He has since been charged and is in custody.
Doug Tollerud, the divisional commander of The Salvation Army of Alaska said his faith-based organization is working with community partners to help house many of the homeless in the park. As of July 21, 32 people, including four families were transitioned out of the park into shelters or permanent housing.
“I’m grateful for all of our community partners who have stepped up immediately to place people in shelter, services, and permanent housing from Centennial Campground,” said Mayor Dave Bronson. “As we work together in collaboration to continue to make placements, this is a testament to the heart of Anchorage in helping our city’s most vulnerable get access to safe and successful solutions.”
In addition to finding shelter for the homeless, The Salvation Army is also coordinating donations for campground residents. Donations can be brought The Salvation Army Safe Campus located at 1712 A Street. Bringing donations to the campus rather than directly to the campground makes it easier to store and organize items.
Helpful items to donate are as follows:
• Handheld lamps (battery operated) or flashlights
• Rain ponchos
• New or gently used sweatshirts & sweatpants
• New or gently used boots or tennis shoes
• Bus passes
• Gas cards
• Camping mats (under sleeping bag)
Refrain from bringing:
• Household electronics (toasters, microwaves, etc.)
• Furniture / Mattresses
• Sheets
• Food perishable or non-perishable
• Flammable liquids
• Sleeping bags
• Tents
• Tarps
For more information related to The Salvation Army’s role as coordinators at Centennial Campground, as well as information about in-kind and monetary donations can be found at Alaska.salvationarmy.org
Those who would like to find out more about how to volunteer at Centennial Campground through The Salvation Army can visit volunteer.usawest.org.
1 Comment
McKinnell House, Clare House, and other semi-permanent housing have one thing in common: street addresses where mail can be delivered.
This means potentially hundreds of folks, alive, dead, or otherwise may be registered to vote at these addresses.
Helpful volunteers, aka ballot harvesters, can help inmates register to vote, fill out their ballots, mail their ballots for them, regardless of residents’ state of consciousness or literacy.
Democracy at its finest, what’s not to like?