16- Opinion (Local Issues)

 

Its The Van – It's The Van

A recent breakthrough for a Little Rock organization that supports the city's homeless population, The Van, has successfully raised more than $125,000 to fund a winter emergency shelter. The fundraising surge followed a social media appeal on December 3, when the organization revealed that funding for the shelter had fallen through. At the time, The Van had raised nearly $22,000 of the $28,000 needed for a 20% down payment on the building.

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"If you really need inside, we're going to come pick you up. We have shuttles running all over the place. Just let us know where you're at. We'll pick you up, get you, your pets, your stuff whatever there," says Founder of The Van Aaron Reddin. The Van, which provides essential services to those living on the streets, actively visits homeless camps, searches for new encampments, and offers food, water, clothing, and hygiene products.

But, Reddin has long hoped to build an emergency shelter to be used during inclement weather. A recent loan fell through, leading Reddin to reach out to the community for help. The community rallied through social media platforms to help raise the funds, donating more than $125,000 in just the span of a few days.