HOMELESS FOR A NIGHT

Folks sleep in cardboard boxes to raise money for local homeless program.

CAMBRIDGE – Little Lauren Kindem learned about homelessness firsthand on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008.
She spent the night in a cardboard box at the Isanti County Fairgrounds as a participant in the Box City fundraiser. With her were her five-year-old brother Erik, grandmother Teresa Hasbrook and friend Gwen Thomas.
The four were among 109 people who raised over $12,000 for the local homeless shelter program, New Pathways. Planners intend to repeat the event next year on Oct. 23.
This wasn't the first humanitarian effort for Hasbrook and Thomas. They've also spent time in Tanzania and volunteer for a soup kitchen in the Twin Cities. The friends brought along the kids for a night in a cardboard box to broaden their hearts and make them more knowledgeable about the issues surrounding homelessness, observed Hasbrook.
After placing their boxes on the ground and then adding pillows and blankets, the next step was decorating. On their cardboard boxes the foursomes taped up photos of homeless individuals.
"It's becoming more and more of a reality," noted Hasbrook. The thought of those displaced because of foreclosures has "really touched my heart."
Thomas pointed out that the homeless are often those you wouldn't expect. They are people with jobs and kids who are attending school. Teenagers who might be living in their cars or under bridges.
The small group was sponsored by East Central Energy, which employs Hasbrook and Thomas. "It's in keeping with East Central Energy's commitment to community," noted Thomas.
One hundred feet away, 17 members of the EverBlest Choir from the Cambridge Lutheran Church labored over three different cardboard enclosures. They started work on the boxes the night before and then transported the pieces to the fairgrounds where they were reconstructed. They were ready for a cold night.
Angela Gertz was wearing long johns, leggings, two pairs of socks, and a down jacket – and she came with two sleeping bags. Plus, the choir girls had each other to keep warm, she added.
Farther down the line, Brandin Johnson and Taylor Lyons worked to put together their log-cabin-themed box. The teenagers had stayed up until 5 a.m. getting it ready for the Box City event. It was a little worse for the wear after being transported in a station wagon, but they were busy reattaching the paper "logs" before settling in for the night. "We know homeless people," noted their chaperone Patty Carlson. "We want to raise awareness."
With Halloween a week away, Johnson had also brought along a box that fit the holiday. Shaped like a coffin, a sign next to it read: "RIP Homeless Victim. Raise awareness not statistics."
"People die in the Minnesota weather," pointed out Carlson.
Raising awareness of the problem in rural Minnesota was one of the main goals behind holding the Box City fundraiser, noted New Pathways Board member John Roberts.
The money raised will support the Cambridge program. New Pathways supports families that face homelessness in east central Minnesota. At a day center in downtown Cambridge, staff members help parents hunt for jobs and hone the skills they need. At night, families are taken to local churches, including Cambridge Lutheran, Elim Baptist, Faith Lutheran, First Baptist, Grace Bible Fellowship, Long Lake Lutheran, New Hope Community, North Isanti Baptist, Oxlip Evangelical Free, Sts. Peter and Paul, Stanchfield Baptist, Trinity Lutheran and Cambridge United Methodist.
Last year the program assisted 34 families. A maximum of 24 can be served as one time. Since the program's inception in 2000, 301 families have been helped.
To get involved, call 763-691-0121 or email infonpi@newpathwaysmn.com.

PROGRAMS FOR THE HOMELESS

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN): Cambridge site
• Chisago County
• Isanti County
• Kanabec County
• Mille Lacs County
• Pine County

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN): Brainerd site
• Cass County
• Crow Wing County
• Morrison County
• Todd County
• Wadena County

Isanti House Transitional Housing Program
Serves the families from both IHN programs

FOR MORE INFORMATION
CALL 763-691-0121
BROWSE www.newpathwaysmn.com
EMAIL infonpi@newpathwaysmn.com