Camping gear for homeless people to be distributed at three McHenry County churches – Northwest Herald

Camping gear will be distributed to people experiencing homelessness at upcoming giveaways scheduled at three locations in McHenry County this Tuesday and additional dates next month.

The giveaways are meant to address concerns that the pandemic and the associated economic fallout will exacerbate homelessness in the area.

"Many of McHenry county's homeless have to resort to camping and the need to help them will become more urgent," organizer Patrick Murfin said in a news release. "We expect a surge of new homeless with the suspension or reduction of unemployment insurance and the expiration of eviction suspensions. Many will be unhoused for the first time and will include formerly secure individuals and families."

The donations are being organized by the Faith Leaders of McHenry County, an informal group of area clergy, chaplains and volunteers, along with the Compassion for Campers program founded by the Tree of Life Unitarian Church.

Tents, sleeping bags, tarps, pads, coolers, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, hygiene products and non-perishable food, among other items, will be given away, according to a news release.

The gear will be available from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake.

Distributions also are planned from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 1 at First United Methodist Church, 3717 Main St., McHenry; and from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 15. at St. Ann's Episcopal Church, 503 W. Jackson St., Woodstock.

The gear will be given away in a drive-up or walk-up setting, and face masks are required, as is proper social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Monetary donations from the Faith Leaders group have been added to Compassion funds to buy the camping gear.

Donations can be mailed to 5603 W. Bull Valley Road, McHenry, Illinois, 60050. Checks should be made out to Tree of Life UU Congregation with "Compassion for Campers" on the memo line. Donations to Compassion for Campers cannot be used by Tree of Life for any other purpose, according to the release.

For information, contact Murfin at 815-814-5645 or by email at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net.

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Camping gear for homeless people to be distributed at three McHenry County churches - Northwest Herald