I am working on an article about how to find deals and being able to help others. I will be posting it next week. In the meantime, I am writing this post because of the current situation at the YWCA shelter here in Fargo. Since I have been buying items on sale and with coupons, etc I was able to go through my cupboards and donate 2 bags of items with very little money out of my pocket.
During the last week the emergency shelter for women and children has been over capacity. The YWCA Emergency Shelter has a capacity for 65 women and children and lately they have been providing a safe haven to 40 women and 43 children. By serving 83 women and children, they have set a new record for the highest number served at our shelter at one time. They exceed capacity only to provide safe shelter for those escaping domestic violence situations. Over 67% of the women and children calling the shelter home today sought shelter because of domestic violence.
Summertime is historically a “busy” time at the YWCA Emergency Shelter. Looking over the past five years, the summer months are often a time when more women and children seek services of the YWCA. The YWCA is unique. They serve women and children. Women who are often afraid to flee domestic violence situations in the winter for fear of having no place to go or being forced to sleep in their cars in addition to not wanting to disrupt their child’s routine anymore than necessary.
Some of their current needs are:
MOST URGENT NEEDS
Two washing machines, Two dryers, Deodorant, Hand soap, Body wash/ shower gel, Toilet paper
HYGEINE
Shampoo and conditioner, Pull-ups training pants (all sizes), Diapers (4,5,6), Feminine hygiene products, Hair ties
HOUSEHOLD
Pillows, Laundry detergent, Adult, Children’s, and Infant Tylenol, Antibiotic cream
Most of the residents of the shelter leave with little more than the clothes on their backs. They do not have access to many of the things we take for granted.
Although this post is not specifically about saving or spending money, I felt compelled to write it to help the shelter. If you have items you would like to donate, you can drop them off at the YWCA shelter at 3000 University Dr S, Fargo or call 701-232-3449.