Local nonprofits collecting clothing for homeless
Lauren Baugh, founder of Shoes, Socks, Shirts and Smiles Inc., has partnered with three other local nonprofits – Stretch It Out Enterprise, Abuse Counseling and Treatment Inc. and M.E.O.W./Mothers Empowering Other Women – to collect clothing items for the local homeless.
Together they are hosting a T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More) organization party at City Gate Ministries, 1735 Jackson St., in Fort Myers, Saturday, Sept. 5, from noon to 3 p.m., when they will be organizing and prepping collected items to distribute to ACT, City Gate-Homeless Outreach and The Salvation Army. Volunteers are welcome, and Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza will provide food.
The public is invited to drop off donations in downtown Fort Myers at The Historic Dean Building Residential and Commercial Suites, 1415 Dean St., and First United Methodist Preschool, 2246 First St. Other locations include Offerman Automotive at 1921 Courtney Drive, Priceless Realty at 4101 Colonial Blvd. and ValuGuard Self Storage at 13750 Plantation Road in Fort Myers; David Schuman Insurance at 1329 Hibiscus Drive and Serendipity Hair Salon at 3326 Del Prado Blvd., Unit #6, in Cape Coral; and Market America Realty Network at 3507 Lee Blvd., Suite 212, in Lehigh Acres.
Baugh created Shoes, Socks, Shirts and Smiles in 2014 with the goal of distributing warm clothing and smiles to those in need. She is collecting shoes, socks, shirts, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, gloves, hats, scarves and blankets for men, women and children.
To learn more, contact Baugh at 239-834-1051 or givingbackfeelsgood@yahoo.com, or visit the Facebook pages of one of the participating organizations.