For the past 15 years, the San Luis Obispo community has generously provided our County’s homeless with a wonderful home-cooked Christmas Day dinner, live entertainment and much needed care packages containing brand new sleeping bags, hooded sweatshirts, rain gear and toiletries. The Jewish Community initiated this event in order to serve those with the greatest need on Christmas Day. The bountiful Christmas dinner is cooked by the local Jewish congregations, however the event is not limited to any one religious persuasion. Members from the local Cal Poly Volunteer Infrastructure Program (VIP) assist with the planning and organization of the event. Business partners throughout the county donate goods, equipment and services, including San Luis Sourdough, Apple Farm, Marie Callender’s, Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab, Trader Joe’s, Ralph’s, Ride-On, Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, and San Luis Garbage. Entertainment is provided by Billy Foppiano and other musicians, as well as a show featuring champion performers from the Claddagh School of Irish Dance.
According to the most recent San Luis Obispo County Homeless Enumeration Report, the region has over 3,800 people living without permanent shelter, and over 1,000 of those are located in the city of San Luis Obispo. There are less than 100 beds available each night by shelters in San Luis Obispo. The Jewish Community’s goal is to be able to help those without shelter to stay warm and protected from the elements during the upcoming winter months. Donations of money to help provide warm coats will truly make a difference. SLO Camp-N-Pack is again providing an extensive discount on new field jackets. Last year several hundred warm jackets were purchased with donations and distributed at the Christmas Day Dinner. Contributions can be made via the United Way of San Luis Obispo County website or checks may be sent to PO Box 14309, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 and earmarked, “Coats”. The coats cost $20 each for small through large sizes and $25 for XL through 4XL sizes. This year’s goal is to raise enough funds to provide 350 coats to the local homeless population. For more information on Coats for Christmas Day, please contact Sheri Eibschutz at 594-1999. To donate to the Coats for Christmas Day program, contact United Way of San Luis Obispo County at www.unitedwayslo.org or call (805) 541-1234.
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