Interfaith Action of Evanston, a consortium of diverse faith communities serving the homeless and hungry, will host its annual fundraising event, Keep the Doors Open, at Found restaurant May 6 from 7 pm to 10 pm.
This public is invited to this evening of cocktails and appetizers, which will focus on IAE’s expanded effort to provide an emergency overnight shelter for Evanston’s homeless population every night from November through March. Based on the work of its many volunteers and the generosity of local churches who provide shelter space, IAE is working to make sure these vulnerable individuals can always find life-saving shelter during the five coldest months of the year.
“We have evolved our efforts over the years, moving from opening a shelter only on the very coldest of nights to maintaining a shelter throughout the winter months,” says Sue Murphy, executive director of Interfaith Action of Evanston. “In order to support this expanded service, we need to raise significantly more money and this annual fundraiser is one way we hope to reach that goal.”
The funds raised will go to cots, bedding, laundry service, snacks and warm beverage, as well as to pay supervisory staff.
Keep the Doors Open also represents a wonderful way for the community of Evanston to learn more about IAE’s work, not only in providing the emergency shelter, but also in supporting its regular hospitality center and daily soup kitchens, as well as its warming centers and advocacy work on behalf of the homeless. IAE volunteers will be on hand to share their experiences staffing the emergency overnight shelter, which rotates between six different downtown Evanston churches, who donate their space to this important effort.
The evening will kick off at 7 pm, with music and refreshments, followed by a program at 8 pm. Tickets can be purchased here: https://interfaithactionofevanston.networkforgood.com/events/11710-evanston-emergency-overnight-shelter-spring-fundraiser-2019