Sleep Out for the Homeless

For 30 years, local Mechanicsburg, PA youth groups have joined together for the Sleep Out for the Homeless to raise awareness of homelessness's realities. Positioned near Thanksgiving, students realize that being grateful is not an attitude surrounding excess but one that can be directed toward life's basic needs. Furthermore, students can have a community impact and help others who might be struggling with some of life's basic needs, such as a consistent bed to sleep in. The Sleep Out is just one way our students grow in their awareness of homelessness and help support the agencies in our community who tirelessly support others in homeless situations.

On Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18 and 19, First UMC, Mechanicsburg BIC, and other local youth groups will hold their Annual Youth Sleepout for the Homeless. Students will line up along Simpson Street and collect donations from the community. In addition to street collecting, this online donation page will raise money for local agencies and their work to aid the homeless. Past Sleep Outs have raised $5,000 or more for this vital cause.

The event also seeks to create awareness of the realities of homelessness by giving teens a glimpse of what it is like to live on the street, including sleeping out in cardboard boxes in the church parking lot until Saturday morning. Participants are provided a small bowl of soup for a meal and encouraged not to bring snacks or electronic devices.

Street donations will be collected from 3:30 to 10:00 Friday evening. Interested persons also can donate here or in person at our street collection.

For more information, please contact First UMC of Mechanicsburg, PA.