Note: According to the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, at least 17,800 men, women and children are homeless in the Nation's Capital over the course of a year.
Friends of the Homeless December 2009-January 2010 Annual Report
December 31, 2009. The 14th annual Friends of the Homeless project got underway the morning of December 31st at FOTH Central, the home of originator Tom Block and his wife Debbie, and daughters Dalya and Naomi. Those who came to unpack items that Tom had ordered throughout the year and stored, divide them into piles around the family and dining rooms, and form an assembly line to put them in large heavy plastic bags as they were passed around ranged in age from 5-3/4 (Naomi Mollie Spielberg Block) to 76-1/2 (anonymous). The packing was followed by a mini-feast prepared by Tom, featuring excellent home-smoked salmon.
Many people who participated were veterans, some of whom have participated in the activity since its inception. For examples, Jen and Isaac have been regulars since Jen was pregnant with their daughter Madelyn, now 8-1/2 years old, and her younger brother Spencer also joins the activity. Several were first-timers who responded to a notice in the Washington Post and Montgomery County Gazette, who were seeking a way of helping people in need during this holiday season.
Most of the things that went into each bag were repeats from previous years, plus a few new goodies. They included thermal gloves, stocking caps, thermal long underwear (top and bottom), lightweight fleece blankets, warm socks, heavy scarf, headphone radios with batteries, toothbrush and toothpaste, soap in a plastic holder, wallet, magnetic game set, deck of playing cards, metal eating utensils, can/bottle opener, body lotion and other "hotel amenities," Some of the containers also had a duffel bag.
Edibles included fresh fruit (oranges and apples), raisins, bottled water, juice boxes, power bars, small cereal boxes, peanut butter crackers, chips, Slim Jims, cheeses, candy, fortune cookies and both purchased and home-baked goods.
Dalya, Mollie (aka Naomi), Kira and Talia made 75 greeting cards that went into some of the gift bags. They included messages like "Happy Holidays" and "Love," and drawing ranging from a swimming pool and people to candles and a fireplace ("to make them feel warm," Mollie explained.)
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