The founder and CEO of a Lake City nonprofit is planning to camp out in the elements this weekend to raise awareness for the homeless and raise funds to help people struggling with homelessness.
Julie Neumann with Harvest of Kindness said she has experienced being homeless firsthand and she understands what they are going through.
On Saturday, she plans to live outside in the elements to raise awareness for the homeless and to help a farm that will house the homeless and support the critical work they do to help keep the homeless warm. She said she plans to do it until she reaches her goal of $5,000, no matter how long it takes.
“I did it last year, mainly just for awareness because I kept getting told there, ‘well, we don’t have no homeless people around here. Well, I’ve never seen any homeless.’ There’s a lot. You just don’t see them,” said Julie.
Julie said she sees it often in her line of work.
“I currently have 469 homeless people that I’ve taken care of this year,” said Julie.
Julie runs Lake City Thrift, which funds her nonprofit Harvest of Kindness. She said the organization helps the homeless any way they can.
“Be it getting a tent, sleeping bags, propane, Mr. Buddy heaters, food. getting them into shelter, bus tickets to move back to family, whatever I can help them with to get in a better situation,” said Julie.
Julie wanted to raise awareness and money to help support the critical work they do.
“We’ve been through quite a bit of propane already this year. And heaters. it’s just the weather has been colder this year than it was last year, so I’m $2,000 over what I was already the whole winter last year,” said Julie.
And her dreams for the future to house the homeless.
“It’s not like a shelter. It’s going to be a place where they can come in. They work so many hours for room and board. The farm’s going to provide them with food. We’re going to have a garden. We’re going to raise cattle, pigs, chickens and all that will go to feeding them,” said Julie.
Julie said she also hopes to offer other resources to help them break through barriers homeless people face-like fixing their credit.
“There’s a lot of care that needs to go into helping people. People have emotional issues. People have mental issues. People have addictions. They have barriers that they have to get over,” said Julie.
Julie plans to stay out in the elements until she reaches that goal. She said she’s been homeless herself and that motivates her to help others.
“I understand what it’s like to be so broke that you don’t know how you’re going to feed your children the next day,” said Julie.
Julie said in addition to monetary donations, they are also in desperate need of propane tanks.
“I don’t care if they’re full. I just need propane tanks because it’s so much easier for me to drop off. Two. that way, I don’t have to worry about them running out in the night,” said Julie.