Homeless Emergency Project
Homeless Emergency Project
B.I.N. (Bring Items of Necessity) FAQ’s
What is the B.I.N Project?
The B.I.N (Bring Items of Necessity) Project was designed by the Leadership Pinellas Class of 2006 to provide an ongoing collection program to support the Homeless Emergency Project (HEP). The idea is to collect essential living items from local corporations, civic clubs and schools to help ease H.E.P’s operational budget and bring further awareness to the community about the mission of H.E.P.
How does it work?
Once your company/civic club/church/school commits to help H.E.P help the homeless, select a contact person at your organization, determine the month(s) your organization would like to collect items, decide on a visible place for the B.I.N, contact H.E.P for B.I.N drop-off and then communicate the program to your employees/members and watch the B.I.N fill! The communication can be a simple e-mail or brief article in your newsletter or bulletin. Once the B.I.N is full, please call a representative from H.E.P to pick up the items. This is a simple and rewarding program for people of all ages.
Why should we get involved?
A recent survey of community concerns completed by Pinellas County indicated that homelessness was one of the top three issues facing Pinellas County. Homeless Emergency Project has helped thousands of adults become independent contributing members of our community. Children are affected by homelessness as well, and H.E.P is committed to keep encouraging youth in order to help break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low self esteem. There is a 95% academic improvement rate for children enrolled in the H.E.P Key program.
What is this going to cost?
How much is a roll of paper towels, a new pair of shoes, a bus (PSTA) pass? If you’re like many of us, you probably spend as much or more on a major coffee chain’s Grande Latte or fast-food meal. We’re all budget conscience, but there is always room for a little sacrifice. Great or small, your contribution will go directly to people who need it. And you’ll allow H.E.P to spend their operational funds on the programs that put people back in their own homes, allow single parents to feel safe about leaving their children while they search for a job, and allow children to begin experiencing a consistent and more mainstream life.
If you would like to participate in B.I.N. or learn more about H.E.P and the work they do in your community, please contact Rebecca Lett, Community Relations Coordinator Homeless Emergency Project, 727-442-9041, ext. 110.
Clearwater, FL, 7 June 2006 – The Homeless Emergency Project (HEP), a nonprofit organization that provides emergency, transitional and permanent housing and support services to approximately 1,000 adults and children each year in the Tampa Bay area, announced today that their first B.I.N. (Bring Items of Necessity) project rolled out on June 1st. The B.I.N. project was designed by the Leadership Pinellas Class of 2006 to provide an ongoing collection of essential items for homeless individuals and families on their way to becoming self-sustaining citizens.
Some key Tampa Bay businesses that have opened their doors to the HEP B.I.N. project by offering their locations as a local collection site for food, clothing, toiletries, linen, cleaning supplies and an array of necessary everyday items offered to all H.E.P. clients.
The current companies that are participating in B.I.N are the Pinellas County Court House; PostcardMania; Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union; 1st Continental Mortgage; Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Law Firm of Attorney Linda Chamberlain; First Home Bank; Bank of America and Coldwell Banker; Neilson Media Research; DeLoach Hofstra, P.A. PostcardMania is hosting two bins for the entire year, one at each of their locations.
Since the inception of HEP (www.ethep.org), more than 78% of clients have secured permanent and/or independent housing. HEP clients increase their income on average by 75% through training, employment and mainstream services.
HEP statistics also show that it costs approximately $34.00 per person per day to utilize all their services. The B.I.N. project is a one-year project designed to allow Tampa Bay citizens to contribute to help their fellow man get a head start in recovering their lives.
The B.I.N. themes and supplies being collected for the upcoming three months are:
JUNE – Walk a Mile in Their Shoes – gift certificates or new men’s, women’s and children’s shoes.
JULY – A Ticket to Ride – buss passes, tokens, gas cards, bicycles; locks helmets.
AUGUST – Pack it up, Pack it in – gift cards, new back-to-school supplies back packs.
The BIN project will be active until June of 2007. The full list of BIN themes and companies accepting donations along with their drop-off location addresses are posted on PostcardMania’s website at www.postcardmania.com/HEP.asp. Drop off supplies for your fellow Tampa Bay citizens every month at one of the listed locations and be a part of helping our humanity. Great or small, your contribution will go directly to people who need it.
What I love about HEP is that they aren’t just a hand-out type organization, said PostcardMania’s CEO, Joy Gendusa, they bring the individual to a point where he can truly help him/herself and add value to society.
About HEP:
HEP is the charitable outreach of Everybody’s Tabernacle Church in Clearwater FL. ET was established by The Late Reverend Otis C. Green in the late 50’s, a man with compassion for all people no matter their circumstance. ET began helping those in need within its congregation and throughout the community. The need grew so much that in 1986 HEP, a separate not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization, was established to address the needs of the low income and homeless individuals and families with children. HEP’s campus now spans over 5 city blocks and houses over 200 individuals and children each day. If you would like to participate in B.I.N. or learn more about HEP and the work they do in your community, please contact Rebecca Lett at 727-442-9041 or visit www.ethep.org.
About PostcardMania:
PostcardMania is a full service postcard direct mail marketing company which includes graphic design, printing, mailing list acquisition and mailing services with free marketing advice. They help small businesses all over the country to expand through the use of direct mail marketing techniques and were recently listed at one of the 50 fastest growing companies in Tampa Bay in 2006 and one of the 500 fastest growing companies in the USA in 2005. Visit their web site at www.postcardmania.com
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PostcardMania
404 S Martin Luther Jr. Ave., Clearwater FL 33755
JetMail, a PostcardMania Company,
2145 Sunnydale Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33765
Pinellas County Court House
400 S. FT, Harrison Ave., Clearwater, FL 33755
Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union
29383 US 19 N., Clearwater, FL 33761
1st Continental Mortgage
424 West Bay Dr., Clearwater, FL 33770
Our Lady of Lourdes Church
750 San Salvador Dr., Dunedin, FL 34698
Law Firm of Attorney Linda Chamberlain
901 Chestnut St., Ste B, Clearwater, FL 33756
First Home Bank
9190 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, FL 33772
Bank of America
TBD
Coldwell Banker
1988 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33765
Neilson Media Research
501 Brooker Creek Blvd., Oldsmar, FL 34677
DeLoach Hofstra, P.A.
8640 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, FL 33777
Feel free to donate any of these items during the year. These themes can be used for monthly company newsletters to hype up the collections.
JANUARY – Sock it to Me – New men’s, women’s and children’s socks
FEBRUARY – Make your Bed – twin bed sheets, pillow cases, blankets, towels, wash clothes
MARCH – Drop Your Drawers -gift certificates or NEW men’s women’s, and children’s underwear and undergarments
APRIL – April Showers – UNUSED – personal hygiene, shampoo, soaps, combs, razors, deodorant,
MAY – Spring Clean -gift cards, UNSUSED household cleaning and laundry supplies
JUNE – Walk a mile in Their Shoes -gift certificates or NEW men’s, women’s and children’s shoes
JULY – A Ticket to Ride – Bus passes, tokens, gas cards, bicycles; locks helmets
AUGUST – Pack it up Pack it in -gift cards, NEW back to school supplies back packs
SEPTEMBER – Brusha, Brusha, Brusha – Personal hygiene products: toothpaste, toothbrush, toiletries, lotion
OCTOBER – Paper Caper – Toilet paper, paper towels, napkins
NOVEMBER – Thanksgiving Blessing – Gift certificates for turkey’s and fresh food items, canned and nonperishable food items
DECEMBER – Heat it Up – sweaters, jackets, gloves, blankets