ROCHESTER, Minnesota – As homelessness continues to grow in our area, a local organization is raising awareness. On Saturday, Family Promise Rochester held a fundraiser to make sure everyone has a place to call home.
With the eviction moratorium ended and affordable housing hard to find in the Mediterranean city, homelessness has increased, according to Family Promise Rochester.
Family Promise Rochester is an organization that helps low-income and homeless families find their place. He has a few houses in the Mediterranean town, including this one that offers homeless families a place to stay.
“We are definitely seeing an increase in the number of families on our waitlist. We have between 20 and 25 families with a number of evictions on the rise recently,” said its acting chief executive, Erin Sinnwell. “We are simply not able to help as many families as we would like.”
The fundraiser was aimed at educating the community more about what some families in Rochester are facing. This was the second year that the organization organized a fundraiser. Thanks to sponsors, food and activities, the organization was able to raise funds.
“It’s great. I have three children and I feel like it’s a really good example to set for our children. I think it’s great that children can also teach this to a very young age,” Sinnwell said.
Sinwell hopes to raise between $5,000 and $8,000 so that no one is left on the streets.
This isn’t the only fundraiser Family Promise Rochester is hosting. In October there will be a Trunk or Treat fundraiser followed by a choir concert with a silent auction in November. Both will continue to raise awareness about homelessness.
