Homeless Program Coordinator Katey Townsend thanked two of the many community partners who recently contributed to the Homeless Education and Literacy Program (HELP).

Oregon Coast Community College Student Nurse Association coordinated the 8th annual hygiene supply drive benefiting students and families through the local HELP Centers. Nursing students spent two weekends outside Fred Meyer, WalMart and Bi-Mart collecting supplies and receiving generous donations from community members. A total of 1,578 pounds of supplies were collected to benefit local students and families in need in Lincoln County. Homeless Student Advocate Kristina Sexton shared, “The students we serve often do not have the means to get hygiene supplies and would go without things like deodorant, shampoo and tooth brushes if it wasn’t for the generous donations that we receive. Students are so appreciative of all these products and can go to school with increased self-esteem.“ (Photo above of OCCC Nursing Students and HELP staff with supplies). Thank you to OCCC nursing students!

Also, Dutch Bros. Coffee in Newport and Lincoln City coordinated a book drive for National Young Readers Day on November 8th. Customers were invited to donate books in exchange for a free beverage. More than 800 books were collected and donated to the HELP Centers in Newport, Toledo, Waldport and Lincoln City. “We try to get as many books into the hands of our students as possible. Kids get books when they visit the HELP Centers, attend Read & Feed events, and we send them home in the weekend food backpacks. We are very appreciative of Dutch Bros. owners Mike and Amanda Bojarski, the staff and all the customers for their help in boosting our HELP Center book supply for kids,” said Katey Townsend.