Occupy Seeks Donations for Homeless Students

The Occupy Long Beach movement will hold a donation drive on Sunday, Jan. 29 through Sunday, Feb. 12 in order to raise money for homeless students in the city of Long Beach. 

Due to a large influx of foreclosures, defaults and record unemployment, homelessness is on the rise nationally. Consequently, according to Occupy Long Beach, the number of homeless students in Long Beach as of the 2010-11 school year is approximately 5,300 students.

"Just as we raise our collective voice to effect change within our government, we raise our arms to embrace all members of our community," said Mary Ellen Hobbs of Occupy Long Beach. 

“What we’ve known in the Long Beach Unified School District for a long time is that all children can achieve at high levels when given the right support, no matter how much the odds are stacked against them," said Chris Steinhauser, superintendent of schools. "One of the most important things we do is to give our homeless children a chance to make something better of their lives. The key to their brighter future—as Mary McLeod Bethune knew so well—is a good education”

Occupy Long Beach is asking for donations of athletic or closed-toe shoes, socks, jackets and zip-up sweatshirts, hoodies, all of which should be plain without print or text and all of which should be new.

Donations are for children grades K-12 and will be given directly to Long Beach students in coordination with the Bethune Transitional Center and the L.A. County Office of Education, Student Support Services.

Drop off locations and hours are at Bixby Park (corner of Broadway and Junipero) starting Sunday, Jan. 29, noon-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 5-8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Donations can also be taken to Urban Cottage, 4121 Long Beach Blvd. from  Wednesday to Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Contact: Heather Kern at occupylbmail@gmail.com or call (562)-433-7205.