April 18 Distribution Proved Greater Need

RIO GRANDE – Sharon Kane wants to help the homeless in Cape May County. She helped organize an April 18 event that distributed donated items to Rio Grande area homeless residents.
“At the time I was on the fence about what if anything I should say about the mission to aid the homeless. I decided that maybe it was best to forego bringing attention to the cause,” she wrote.
“However, after having the April 18 event at the Village Shopping Center I realized just how much we needed that attention after all. It was the biggest mission to date that I created and while it was a great success, I quickly became aware of just how many others would have been helped if I did decide to reach out to the local news media,” she continued.
The next event is scheduled for May 30 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. It will be held in the rear parking lot of The Village Shoppes, of Rio Grande in front of The Branches/This and That Thrift Shop.
Volunteers are needed and asked to arrive an hour early to allow time for preparations. The group is in need of donations, not just monetary. They are seeking personal care items such as alcohol-free mouthwash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair brushes/combs, Band-Aids, hand sanitizers, deodorants, baby wipes, Q-tips.
Additionally they need socks, T-shirts, and sweat/lounge pants. Backpacks, blankets, and with the approach of warmer weather, sunscreen and insect repellent.
Local stores have many items that could be useful to the homeless population: tuna salad lunch kits, peanut butter, all types of snacks, beef jerky, trail mix, Tylenol, and so much more.
Without asking the community and local businesses to help Kane’s group has to rely on out of county volunteers to gather help for this county’s homeless.
“That does not seem right to me” Kane stated. “I need a way to unite our concerned citizens and businesses so that people that want to help, can.”
Joint Effort
“It was a joint effort, the result of an online conversation between me and a lead spokesperson-volunteer Lauren of the organization Project Endless Agape which is comprised of volunteers from all over the state,” Kane stated.
She explained that for the past several years, both had donated to one another in regards to their mission programs.
“I founded an Adopt-a-Family program at Christmas for local families. By sponsors choosing a family in need, they are able to provide toys, clothing, gift cards, etc. to that family at Christmas.
“Meanwhile, Lauren and the volunteer organization that she is dedicated to, make monthly trips to places such as Philadelphia, Camden, and just recently Atlantic City to feed and clothe the homeless. We immediately struck a rapport and ever since then we have been assisting each other with each other’s cause,” Kane stated.
“I try to donate personal care items for care packages while she “adopts” several families at Christmas time. One day, feeling particularly moved by an article in the Herald about the homeless, I started a conversation with her. I was asking her when she was able to come down and pick-up a tote of supplies I collected for her cause. Then I just blurted out what I was reading there are people living in the woods and officials are denying the fact that we have a homeless problem in our area,” Kane said.
Help Others There
“Without missing a beat, Lauren said ‘Keep those supplies to help others there.’ In fact the name that I use for the event/mission was her suggestion: Spreading the Love in Rio Grande. I thought it was simple, yet the message was clear.
“Spreading the Love is what we hope to accomplish. To let them know we care,” Kane added.
“People came together in unity to raise awareness and to spread the love to those less fortunate. It was a combined effort of local concerned citizens and volunteers from organizations as far away as Central and North Jersey,” she said.
“The Unforgotten Haven (another New Jersey volunteer organization) donated 300 peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches. A local Brownie troop bought new socks and tied uplifting messages to each pair. There were cases of water, vitamin water, juice boxes, soda, snacks, desserts, hot and cold food buffet, clothing, baby needs, personal care packages, and bagged lunches to go,” Kane continued.
Helped 20 in April
“We were able to help about 20 people or so April 18. Now that word is out and flyers are made we hope to help many more. I have since found out that another Brownie troop may be doing sandwiches for the next event in May,” Kane stated.
“Perhaps the most inspiring and dedicated volunteer of the day was a 9- year-old named Gage. This boy loves to help others just as much if not more than adults. While most kids would be bored after an hour or so, Gage had his spot front line in serving up meals, handing out supplies, and even went on deliveries that we made to the local motels in Rio Grande,” Kane continued.
“I was so blessed and inspired to see him so devoted to such a selfless act of giving that I invited him to have a lemonade stand at my yard sale this weekend. He is excited because he wants to use the money to help others. His mom says that she has never known a child to be as giving and passionate about helping others,” she stated.
Group’s website
The group is called Spreading the Love. Its website is: www.spreadingthelove.us. The group also has a dedicated phone 609-435-1511.