Group hopes to provide warmer nights for King County homeless

Sleepless in Seattle is attempting to raise $75,000 by Thanksgiving in order to purchase sleeping bags for the estimated 3,100 people sleeping on the streets.

By Josh Stilts • November 11, 2014 6:47 pm
One of Sleepless in Seattle's volunteers hands out a sleeping bag to a homeless man in Seattle. The group is trying to raise $75
One of Sleepless in Seattle's volunteers hands out a sleeping bag to a homeless man in Seattle. The group is trying to raise $75

On any given night an estimated 3,100 people in King County sleep directly on the streets and as the colder, wetter winter months roll through the need for warm, dry comfort is greater than ever.

Interlake High School senior Lily Zhuo heard about a new nonprofit group, Sleepless in Seattle working to provide sleeping bags for all of the homeless through a crowdsourcing campaign and joined immediately.

The group is hoping to raise $75,000 by Thanksgiving, she said adding as of Tuesday afternoon they had reached 41 percent of the goal with $20,700 donated.

An anonymous donor also agreed to a $25,000 one-for-one matching gift. Each $20 donation will now provide two sleeping bags instead of just one, according to the group’s website.

“I think it’s important to give back to the community,” Zhuo said. “I love helping people and these sleeping bags can go a long way to providing a better night’s rest for a lot of people.”

Once the funds are collected, Zhuo said the team will buy varying styles and sizes of sleeping bags in order to accommodate varying needs whether it be warmer larger bags or smaller bags that be carried and concealed easily in a backpack.

If the group meets its goal, 200 volunteers are ready to distribute the sleeping bags on Saturday Dec. 13, at Serve Seattle.

Any remaining sleeping bags will be given to nonprofits in King County specializing in work with the homeless and marginalized to be distributed throughout the community.

Zhuo said gently used sleeping bags can also be donated. Ideal sleeping bags, similar to the ones the group is hoping to purchase would have no natural fibers, to help with rain, dark or dull colors, be rated to withstand temperatures from 20 to 30 degrees and be easy to pack and carry.

“The unfortunate reality is that we do not have the capacity to house all of the homeless youth in our community,” said Melinda Giovengo, executive director of Youth Care. “Having resources, like sleeping bags, is critical to helping them survive the night and starts the conversation with staff to help move young people forward and off the streets.

In addition to working with numerous local nonprofits, several businesses have agreed to help the group’s efforts.

Columbia Sportswear has donated 200 beanies to be distributed alongside sleeping bags, MM Comfort Systems donated an undisclosed amount of money and PinkaBella Cupcakes has agreed to donate a cupcake with every sleeping bag.

For more information visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/sleepless-in-seattle-seattle-gives-back#home.