(Bismarck, North Dakota) – Members of the Missouri Valley Coalition for Homeless People, Inc. (MVCHP) announce a series of activities to build awareness and understanding of the impact of hunger and homelessness in our region. MVCHP member organizations are sponsoring events during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, November 11 – 18 2023, marking a national- and state-level effort to educate, increase awareness, and promote action to end hunger and homelessness.
The week’s activities will include volunteer opportunities such as Freezin’ for a Reason, a streetcorner winter gear drive and visibility event; awareness events Walk a Mile in My Shoes and No Longer Hidden; a free viewing of the documentary film “HOME” followed by a panel discussion; and non-perishable food drives at all Bismarck Gate City Bank locations.
A Press Event is scheduled for 8:30am on Thursday, November 16th, at the Dream Center, 1805 Park Ave in Bismarck. This event will feature remarks from ND Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller, Bismarck Mayor Mike Schmitz, MVCHP Leadership, and other local leaders and officials. There will also be a reading of the Official Proclamation from the Office of Governor Burgum, designating November 11-18, 2023 as Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week. This will be followed by a free screening of the documentary film “HOME,” and a panel discussion after the film featuring local leaders, service providers, and people with lived experience in homelessness.
Dream Center will be serving their regular breakfast program from 7am-9am, in the main hall on November 16th, and leaders and the public are invited to attend this community breakfast before the press event. Press will be allowed to take photos and video, with permission from photo subjects.
In 2022, over 1000 homeless individuals in Bismarck Mandan area were given shelter or temporary housing from MVCHP member agencies, for a total of 55,283 nights of shelter. At just one location alone, over 800,000 free meals have been served to those in need in 2023. Many more uncounted people, including youth, were living each day in overcrowded situations with family or friends, struggling to find permanent housing and hunger solutions.
The MVCHP is asking the public for help in a variety of ways:
- Attend or support a Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week event. Full listing of events can be found below and at www.mvchp.com.
- Volunteer for Freezin’ for a Reason by signing up at www.tinyurl.com/F4R2023
- Make a financial contribution to support the work of MVCHP at www.mvchp.com/donate-now
- Donate your time, funds, or basic care necessities to local nonprofits, shelters, or community meal sites.
MVCHP member organizations and Community Resources can be found at www.mvchp.com.
ABOUT MVCHP
The Missouri Valley Coalition for Homeless People is a regional nonprofit that advocates for safe, stable, and life-affirming housing for all. The Coalition’s 30+ members comprise nonprofits, government agencies, churches, businesses, and individual citizens interested in assisting the needs of people experiencing housing and food insecurity. MVCHP member agencies provide services throughout a 10- county region of south-central North Dakota. MVCHP asserts that everyone deserves a place to call home. Learn more and get involved at mvchp.com.
MVCHP HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK 2023 EVENT SCHEDULE:
Please note: Many activities are outdoors, and attendees are encouraged to dress warmly
- Throughout the week of November 11-18, 2023: People are invited to donate shelf-stable food items to support local food pantries at any Bismarck Gate City Bank location.
- Wednesday, November 15, 2023: Freezin’ for a Reason, 7am-7pm
- Freezin’ for a Reason is a 12-hour awareness event, in which volunteers work in 2-hour shifts and stand outside “freezin’” and hold signs for the “reason” of drawing attention to the issue of homelessness in our community.
- Located at the corner of Expressway Ave and South 12th Street, Bismarck.
- Donations of winter gear (hats, gloves, coats, scarves, etc.) will also be collected at the same site
- Sign up to volunteer for Freezin’ for a Reason at tinyurl.com/F4R2023.
from 7am-7pm.
- Wednesday, November 15, 2023: Walk a Mile in My Shoes, 11:30am-12:30pm
- Participants will walk outside as a group from the United Way Shelter to the Dream Center and back, then there will be a free meal provided. Participants will also learn more about the United Way Shelter and Center for Opportunity.
- Located at the United Way Shelter, 1140 South 12th Street, Bismarck.
- Please email volunteering@msaunitedway.org for more information.
- Wednesday, November 15, 2023: No Longer Hidden, 6:30pm
- Participants will gather outside for an aerial group photo that aims to capture a visual representation of the number of youth experiencing homelessness in Bismarck Public Schools.
- Located in the West Parking Lot at Century High School, 1000 E Century Ave, Bismarck.
- Contact Sherrice at sherrice_roness@bismarckschools.org for more details.
- Thursday, November 16, 2023: Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week Press Event, 8:30-9:00am
- Located on the 2nd floor of the Dream Center, 1805 Park Avenue, Bismarck
- Dream Center will be serving their regular breakfast program from 7am-9am, in the main hall of the Dream Center. Leaders and the public are invited to attend this community breakfast before the press event. Press will be allowed to take photos and video, with permission from photo subjects.
- MVCHP Leadership will host a press conference at 8:30am, featuring remarks from North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller, Bismarck Mayor Mike Schmitz, MVCHP Leadership, and other local leaders and officials. There will also be a reading of the Official Proclamation from the Office of Governor Burgum, designating November 11-18, 2023 as Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week.
- Thursday, November 16, 2023: HOME Documentary Viewing and Panel Discussion, 9:00am
- Located on the 2nd floor of the Dream Center, 1805 Park Avenue, Bismarck
- Following the Press Event, from 9am-9:45am, there will be a free viewing of the 2016 documentary film “Home: The Homelessness Crisis in North Dakota,” followed by a panel discussion from 9:45am-10:15am, featuring local leaders, service providers, and individuals with lived experience in homelessness.
