Michael Carbone, Moorhead, Letter: Coalition thanks volunteers, donors

The Fargo-Moorhead Coalition for Homeless Persons wishes to thank the youth, volunteers and donors to the Homeless and Hungry event held on Oct. 3-5. This youth-driven response to homelessness and hunger in our community should inspire all of us to work toward a day when all our citizens can say they are going home.

To date, the 730 participants and 300 volunteers have raised more than $195,000 and 27,000 pounds of food and other items to be distributed to service providers that work with people who are facing homelessness and hunger.

Never has this network of service providers been under more stress with the rising numbers of people facing hard economic times and the increasing numbers of homeless people suffering with disabilities such as mental illness, chemical dependency and others. The donations from the Homeless and Hungry event will make a significant impact.

More importantly though is the commitment these young leaders make to helping those among us who are facing significant obstacles to housing stability.

The future looks brighter for all of us when we recognize the compassion, the energy and the sense of justice that our young people possess. Their example provides us with this insight – when we think in terms of possibilities and not obstacles, when we apply equal doses of leadership, inspiration and perspiration, we can accomplish great things, maybe even ending homelessness.

Carbone is executive director, FM Coalition for Homeless Persons Inc.

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