Task Force to End Hunger and Homelessness

OAKLAND, Calif. - Oct. 26, 2015 - PRLog -- The Task Force to End Hunger and Homelessness in Hayward needs donations and volunteers to help with its community-wide Hayward Homeless Count that will collect key information needed to identify and eradicate barriers to ending hunger and homelessness in the city. Although the Count is scheduled for November 8 - 14, volunteers and donations are needed now.

According to the Task Force, the study will collect personal narratives and lived experiences that highlight the challenges that people in housing crisis face in Hayward. The demographic and other data collected is intended to guide the development of viable and innovative solutions, programs, and public policies to address homelessness.

“It’s estimated that on any given day in Hayward there are 200 to 900 individuals or families residing in makeshift encampments, emergency shelters, transitional housing, nature areas, automobiles, and condemned or temporary housing,” said Dr. Stacy Wilson of the Public Administration Department at CSU East Bay who is co-leading the effort.

"Although significant progress has been made to date in Hayward around hunger and homelessness, the Homeless Count will provide more comprehensive information that’s needed to more completely address the issues. Because of the magnitude of the Count, we need donations and volunteers to help. There are opportunities for all in the effort," added Del Della Dora, a member of the Task Force.

According to Dr. Wilson, all Hayward Homeless Count volunteers will be trained and are needed to assist with several different tasks, including as survey workers. While the Count has been developed through donated efforts, items that are still needed through donations include printing, clipboards, wristbands, food, socks, toiletries, and similar small items as incentives for interviewees. The data gathered will be part of an art exhibit intended to ignite positive community conversation early next year assistance with framing, catering, and curating that event are also needed.

All Hayward Homeless Count donations are tax deductible through our fiscal agent, Mandela Marketplace. Checks, payable to Mandela Marketplace with Homeless Count in the memo line, should be mailed to: Task Force to End Hunger and Homelessness, 1090 B Street, #130, Hayward, CA, 94541,

For the purpose of the Hayward Homeless Count, homelessness is defined as a state in which an individual or family unit does not have permanent, legal, safe, and stable living quarters. Family unit refers to those, who, by affinity, marriage, or blood relation, comprise a consistent unit, traveling or residing together. The term, stable, as used in this study, means that a person or family unit is able to maintain or stay in legal housing for the foreseeable future. The Hayward Homeless Count is an effort of the Task Force to End Hunger and Homelessness in Hayward, in coordination with California State University, East Bay (CSUEB), Chabot College, City of Hayward, and the Salvation Army.