TINTON FALLS — To promote a sense of solidarity with homeless families, more than 100 youths and families will spend the night in cardboard boxes and queue on a soup line for their meals at Monmouth Church of Christ in Tinton Falls on Sept. 27.
Each Cardboard Box City resident will solicit sponsorship pledges to help support Family Promise of Monmouth County, the county’s only emergency shelter for homeless families.
More than 350 children in Monmouth County are homeless, according to this year’s survey by the Monmouth County Department of Human Services. Their families are unable to secure affordable housing, and the problem has worsened with many families displaced by superstorm Sandy still searching for housing.
According to a press release from Family Promise, homeless shelters typically do not have the policies and resources to maintain family units, so children often must live apart from their parents with relatives or in foster care, with sometimes devastating consequences for a child’s health, education and development.
Through its interfaith network of volunteers from 34 area congregations, Family Promise helps to keep families together while assisting parents in achieving the financial stability needed to give their children stable homes.
Last year, Cardboard Box City raised over $17,000 to help provide shelter, food and counseling for the county’s homeless families. This year, organizers hope to increase participation and pledges with a program of live entertainment and speakers, as well as prizes for the most creative dwelling and most pledges raised.
A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of a car donated by Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall of Neptune to a family that has recently completed a successful transition from the Family Promise shelter program.
Cardboard Box City events are held by Family Promise affiliates nationwide, raising funds that enable local chapters to continue to help homeless families achieve lasting independence.
The event is open to all. For more information about becoming a Cardboard Box City “resident” or sponsor, contact Tracy at [email protected] or 732-495- 1050, or visit www.familypromisemc.org.