Under the Bridge
Donation protected
Three miles away from Dartmouth College, eight people live in the shadow of the Route 5 bridge. With a cold winter looming, they desperately need firewood, toilet paper, and water.
Please watch this documentary to meet Matthew, a long-time member of the community under the bridge.
Their ragged tents are soaked with rain from last night’s downpour. They have one pit labeled “trash” and one pit labeled “latrine.” Burning 2-by-4s crackle in a meager fire against a graffitied wall. Piled nearby are library books, empty toilet paper rolls, and hand sanitizer.
I was extremely lucky to meet Matthew. With his help, my classmates and I created a short documentary (linked above) that tells his story. We hope that it will spread the word -- and combat the ignorance and complacency that the Upper Valley exhibits towards Matthew and the homeless individuals surviving under the bridge.
But help is needed immediately. Winters in White River Junction reach wind chills of negative twenty degrees. Area hypothermia shelters are only open from 5pm to 6am. Thus, it is essential that Matthew and his friends maintain a steady supply of firewood (as well as a maul and wedge) to stay warm. Other essentials for survival under the bridge include toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Please consider contributing to this fund, so that Matthew and the other members of the community under the bridge can stay warm and healthy this winter. And please do not forget their stories.
(By Matt Gannon, a student at Dartmouth College)
Please watch this documentary to meet Matthew, a long-time member of the community under the bridge.
Their ragged tents are soaked with rain from last night’s downpour. They have one pit labeled “trash” and one pit labeled “latrine.” Burning 2-by-4s crackle in a meager fire against a graffitied wall. Piled nearby are library books, empty toilet paper rolls, and hand sanitizer.
I was extremely lucky to meet Matthew. With his help, my classmates and I created a short documentary (linked above) that tells his story. We hope that it will spread the word -- and combat the ignorance and complacency that the Upper Valley exhibits towards Matthew and the homeless individuals surviving under the bridge.
But help is needed immediately. Winters in White River Junction reach wind chills of negative twenty degrees. Area hypothermia shelters are only open from 5pm to 6am. Thus, it is essential that Matthew and his friends maintain a steady supply of firewood (as well as a maul and wedge) to stay warm. Other essentials for survival under the bridge include toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Please consider contributing to this fund, so that Matthew and the other members of the community under the bridge can stay warm and healthy this winter. And please do not forget their stories.
(By Matt Gannon, a student at Dartmouth College)
Organizer
Matt Gannon
Organizer
Hanover, NH