Taste Of Operation Warm Heart Raises $2,000+ To Support Homeless

Though the rain came down in sheets on Sat, Oct 27th due to incoming Tropical Storm Oscar, that did not dampen the spirits of the patrons of the 4th annual Taste of Operation Warm Heart, a fundraiser to benefit the emergency winter sheltering program for the homeless, run by the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless (ECHH).

“Operation Warm Heart is a life-changing winter shelter program that is open from December 1st to March 31st throughout houses of worship in Elizabeth, Rahway, Linden, Cranford, and Scotch Plains,” explains Operation Warm Heart coordinator Erica Rodriguez. “We are proud to say that this program has housed over 1,200 homeless individuals over 15 years, and we hope to continue to shelter our brothers and sisters in need for many years to come as we are called to.”

The event, held at Calvary Tabernacle in Cranford, aimed to help fund the 2018-2019 season of Operation Warm Heart so that ECHH can purchase cots, toiletries, blankets, and other medical necessities for those on the streets to survive and be lifted up to once again become self-sufficient. In total, the event raised over $2,000 through the donations of organizations such as the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, Garretson Financial, Inc, along with ticket sales.

Taste of Operation Warm Heart had a 50/50 raffle event, door prizes, live music from The Young Picassos and a cooking competition to see who brought the best dish, including homemade macaroni and cheese and unique Spanish pork and chicken dishes. Patrons were also able to partake in an art show, where artists all over New Jersey donated pieces towards the cause. Those still interested in purchasing a piece will soon be able to find them for sale online on the ECHH website at theelizabethcoalition.org/. Note, all proceeds will benefit the 2018-2019 season of Operation Warm Heart.

“We really felt that having a touch of art at the event would be valuable and help such a worthwhile cause,” explains head curator Camilo Castillo of Camilo Castillo Art. “Each artist was excited to be able to play a role and hopefully help some people get off the streets for the winter. I live over in Linden and realizing that there are people who would otherwise potentially freeze or starve to death if not for this program really hit home.”

Throughout the event, various speakers came up to the podium, including Rodriguez, Executive Director of ECHH Linda Flores-Tober, Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage and a former client of Operation Warm Heart, Bruce.

“The event was really inspiring to witness,” comments patron and donating artist Ellen Avigliano of Imaginarium Arts. “Hearing Bruce tell us how he got out of homelessness and is now working, it was great hearing the good work that this organization is doing to help those facing hardships go on to a path of dignity.”

On Jan 23, 2018, Union County saw a total of 389 individuals suffering from homelessness, per the 2018 Point-in-Time Count of the Homeless, which provides a statewide snapshot of households experiencing homelessness in our communities. 297 of those individuals were using an emergency shelter as their main place of stay. Though this was a decrease compared to 2014, when 674 individuals were using an emergency shelter, the numbers have not seen a significant change for the past three years.

Additional, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) predicts that Representative Dennis Ross and the Trump Administration’s recent proposals to raise rents on vulnerable households receiving federal rental assistance or cut off their assistance entirely will put many people at risk of homelessness and create barriers to accessing housing for those seeking self-sufficiency.

“Each of the Trump and Ross policy proposals to raise rent or eliminate assistance would hurt efforts to prevent and end homelessness,” writes CBPP. “The Trump and Ross rent raises would make it harder for people experiencing homelessness to use rental assistance to find stable housing, because the assistance would no longer make rent affordable for people with little or no income.”

Operation Warm Heart will have its first hosting on Dec. 1st. Those interested in supporting EHCC and its many endeavors, including Operation Warm Heart, can visit their website at theelizabethcoalition.org/, or visit their headquarters at 118 Division St, Elizabeth.

***

The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, located in Elizabeth, NJ, is a nonprofit formed in 1981. Now over 35 years old, we are on a mission to serve the needs of the homeless and near homeless. We empower people with tools and support to transition to safe, affordable, permanent housing so that they can live healthy, productive lives. We believe everyone deserves safe, affordable housing and should be an active part of their community, treating everyone with dignity and respect. Find more information about our organization at theelizabethcoalition.org/