Residents Walk to End Homelessness

MORENO VALLEY>> On Saturday, April 8, the City of Riverside held its 4th annual Walk to End Homelessness, which raises money for programs that help people get off the streets. The event, which drew in supporters from the neighboring city of Moreno Valley, was held at Fairmount Park, where the goal of the walk was to raise $35,000 to provide individuals and families the necessary items to transition out of homelessness into permanent housing and obtain employment. The annual walk typically draws more than 300 people, all of whom are committed to raising money to provide opportunities for homeless families, individuals and youth to change their lives and become self-sufficient. "Thanks to federal and state funded programs, some of these needs can be met, but oftentimes, many of the most obvious needs are excluded, like: refrigerators, school textbooks and supplies, fees for testing and licensing, tools of the trade, work boots, tape measures, or kitchen tools for culinary occupations," said one representative of the event. The Ending Homelessness Fund also held a raffle in order to enhance efforts to raise funds for the walk. Items available for the raffle included: salad for a year from Panera, a necklace and bracelet from Parklane, two whale watching tickets, a 10" bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes, a vase bouquet from Mission Florist, a helicopter ride with Riverside Police Department, a set of wireless headphones, gift cards for various restaurants and more. Registration for the two-mile, family-friendly walk began at 7 a.m. and the walk began at 8:15 a.m. Annual walks bring together nonprofit organizations, social service organizations, faith-based institutions and the entire community to bring awareness to programs in place to help the homeless, and to raise money to support such much needed programs.