Bundles of Joy

Our mission began when we noticed how fast the homeless population was increasing in our area. We decided to take initiative and find a way to help aid the people who are struggling in our community. We were able to fundraise money to purchase supplies to assemble and deliver 50 care packages to a local homeless shelter. Our current project will allow us to deliver 100 bundles to an underprivileged community in Mexico.

When we began our project in December of 2024, we found in the official census that around 30,809 people were homeless in the state of Florida and 653,104 in the United States. 

Specifically in the Lee County area in 2023, there were 862 people struggling with homelessness which was a 40% increase from the previous year where there was 394 people experiencing homelessness. 

In the Lee County area, common factors contributing to the rise of homelessness include the affordable housing crisis, high rent rates, and even the impact of weather conditions, such as hurricanes. There has been an increase in senior citizens and single parents experiencing homelessness. The main effects of homelessness include health problems, chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS), increased risk of disability, poor mental health, PTSD, substance abuse, violence, and a higher chance of entering the criminal justice system.