KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Beginning Thursday, January 2, every branch of the Kansas City, Missouri public library will be collecting hygiene products for people experiencing homelessness.
The hygiene drive is a combined effort between the Kansas City Public Library and AmeriCorps VISTA members.
Beccah Rendall, Library AmeriCorps VISTA Specialist, said this is the second year the two have partnered for the drive, and last year they were able to give away more than 270 hygiene kits to people in need. Rendall said the drive is a way to for community members to do a small part of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s day of service.
"We have a lot of patrons experiencing life challenges, and this might be where they hang out all day, and this is where we can connect them with other organizations and resources," Rendall said. "It's just a circle of really taking care of our community here in Kansas City."
According to the 2019 Point-in-Time survey, youth and veteran homelessness decreased between 2018 and 2019, but overall, the numbers are rising. Between 2018 and 2019, overall homelessness, which includes those in emergency shelters, safe havens, unsheltered or in transitional housing, increased from 1,798 to 1,952.
Restart Inc. CEO Stephanie Boyer said it's important to keep in mind that those numbers don't necessarily include everyone suffering from homelessness because it is done in one, 24-hour period.
"I would say overall, we're at an alarming state," Boyer said.
Boyer said Kansas City's increasing homeless population stems from a lack of affordable housing.
"If we don't get serious about it and do something, there are going to be so many more people falling into this, and it's so disruptive," Boyer said.
Boyer also said Missouri's recent bump in minimum wage to $9.45 an hour won't make much of a difference.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition released a study in June 2019 called 'Out of Reach,' which details how much money a person would need to make in any given state to afford a modest, two-bedroom rental home. In Missouri, it's $16 an hour. In Kansas City, the numbers get closer to $18 an hour.
While homelessness is a complex issue without a simple fix, Rendall said it can start with something small.
"Really just adding one thing to your shopping list can be really have an effect if we all do that together," Rendall said.
KC public libraries are asking for donations of travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, washcloths, combs, bandages, nail clippers, and period management products.
Every branch of the library will have a donation box set out from now through Jan. 15.
On Jan. 20, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, volunteers will deliver the kits to those in need.
