Warm Jacket Delivery to Bounty and Soul
As the colder fall weather is starting to be more consistent, many residents have been deeply concerned about the increasingly colder temperatures as winter approaches. Paula, the Executive Director of Bounty and Soul, asked Buddhist Relief to help source and deliver at least 60 warm puffy jackets for unhoused families. On Friday, Buddhist Relief volunteers Thad and Kelly delivered over 100 warm puffy jackets to Bounty and Soul ranging in Sizes S-XXL for adults and 16 month-youth sizes for the kids. Bounty and Soul volunteers were so happy to see the quality of the items we were able to source. New quality items are greatly appreciated and the only things people are currently taking for distribution. Offering new quality clothing to those who have lost so much helps show them they deserve dignity and respect, as well as the practical implications of quality warm items being critical to survival. We arranged the sorted boxes onto large pallets in Bounty and Soul’s warm item distribution section, with many of the jackets set to go out on Monday the 4th.
There are many people living in tents where their homes used to be in Swannanoa as organizations are desperately trying to get them long term adequate housing. Meanwhile Bounty and Soul is coordinating efforts with Blunt Pretzel’s pop up food kitchen to get fresh food to feed folks in Swannanoa (located right across the river here a few blocks up) as well as supplying produce to their other 16 distribution locations. On a personal note, Thad’s childhood best friend’s family lost their home entirely in the flood in this neighborhood.
Kelly writes: “Saying thank you really doesn’t encompass how grateful I personally am being a resident in this area for the outside support to help our community during this time. This disaster has been so devastating to people. Every single person has been impacted by this disaster regardless of their background, and some have experienced just unimaginable suffering losing homes and loved ones. Thank you so much Jetsunma for your compassionate reach and holding everyone in your heart.”
