Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP) began its 17th annual Sleep Out campaign November 10 with hopes of raising $1.95 million by the end of the year—an increase of $150,000 over last year. The Sleep Out helps 1,700 struggling families in the lake area and beyond by providing basic needs like housing, child care, food, transportation and employment.
In the years since the Sleep Out’s inception, the community has raised more than $15 million. Many Sleep Out funds are used to prevent homelessness by providing short-term rental assistance to help families overcome temporary setbacks. One month of rental assistance from IOCP costs an average of $658. If that family were to become homeless, it costs the county approximately $3,000 to support them in a homeless shelter.
For more information about the Sleep Out, including a full list of activities, please visit iocp.org/sleep-out. IOCP, 1605 County Rd. 101 N., Plymouth; 763.489.7500; iocp.org
–Information courtesy of Erin Anderson
