SLU students get into the giving spirit by making care packages for the homeless. How can you help?
On November 28th, Saint Louis University students will be kicking off the holiday season by building care packages for the homeless around the area.
Every semester, Griesedieck Hall, a residence hall on SLU’s campus, holds a program for all the residents to participate in. This year, Benjamin Rael, one of the resident advisors for the building, brought upon his concern with the homeless population that is around SLU. He is now planning an event where residents will come together, and pack goody sized bags filled with snacks, hygiene products, and pamphlets that will have information on where to find helpful resources such as shelters and food pantries.
“The basic initiative of this program is to provide SLU students with the resources to help aid homeless individuals in the Saint Louis area by making care packages that will be distributed throughout the year, and they will be provided at the desk of the residence halls. Students can take one and have it in their bag ready for when they run into someone who asks for money and they don’t feel comfortable with necessarily giving money, but still want to help, they can offer them this bag,” Rael explained.
Rael created this program to help the homeless that he sees everyday as he walks up and down Grand avenue. But he also believes that it will open students’ eyes to the homeless population in Saint Louis and help students not be afraid to interact with them. He hopes that students will be more willing to help rather than ignore and walk away.
Right now, Rael is focusing on getting ready for the event by asking for donations. His boss and him are finding different sponsors and asking people all over campus for small items like fruit snacks, Chapstick, toothpaste, deodorant, and other items as such. Boxes for donations are located at Griesedieck Hall at the back and front desk.
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