Do you often wish you could help people in need but are not sure how? This year, you can make a real difference by donating to Sacramento Steps Forward, the lead agency working with those experiencing homelessness, during the BIG DAY of Giving on May 3rd.
Sacramento County Supervisor Susan Peters (District 3) led the effort to obtain a $5,000 match from each of the Supervisors to support Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF) during the BIG DAY; if SSF raises $25,000 during the day, the Board will collectively donate $25,000 as a match.*
Peters noted, “Homelessness touches every one of our districts, and we want to kick off the BIG DAY of Giving season with this pledge to encourage more donations and more pledges. There are few issues that are more pressing in our communities, and Sac Steps Forward is essential to connecting the right services to people in need. This is our challenge to everyone who says they want to help: get involved!”
“Sacramento County allocates funds every year to support the critical work of Sacramento Steps Forward, and each of the Supervisors is personally invested in helping this valuable organization,” said Chairperson of the Board, Roberta MacGlashan.
District 1 Supervisor Phil Serna noted, “All five of us have agreed to appropriate a portion of the County’s share of transient occupancy tax because we all see the dire circumstance of homelessness in our districts and across Sacramento County. These are public tax dollars that come from hotel room night stays, so the source seems entirely appropriate to help inspire contributions on the BIG DAY of Giving.”
“Homelessness is a complicated and pressing issue for every region in the state, and District 2 is no exception,” said Supervisor Patrick Kennedy. “I already fund a Navigator for the Florin and Mack Road areas. If this pledge can increase the outreach even further, I am pleased to participate and encourage everyone to give what they can.”
Vice Chair, Don Nottoli (District 5) noted, “Sac Steps Forward is doing vital work and the additional funding will assist them in expanding their outreach efforts. The Navigators are working throughout our community helping those in need get connected to services.”
A nonprofit tasked with the critical mission of ending homelessness in Sacramento. Since 2009 they have worked to transform the way providers, donors and policy makers collaborate to meet this challenge. Navigators work one-on-one with individuals in the field to assess needs, programs they may qualify for, making calls and connecting them with services. They are an essential component of reaching people who need help and getting them the right help.
Starting at midnight on May 3rd, the Sacramento region will come together for one BIG Day of Giving - a 24 hour giving challenge that lifts up lives and makes this the place we call home. Join our community on May 3rd for a celebration of philanthropy and put your money where your heart is!
“While we support all of the organizations that are participating in the Big Day of Giving, and encourage everyone to get involved and donate where their heart is, the issue of homelessness is a particularly pressing one for us,” Peters added. “That is why we’re asking people to make a special donation to Sac Steps Forward on May 3, so that we can match it.” #BIGDoG2016
*Note; the Board of Supervisors will match the amount raised by Sac Steps Forward up to $25,000. The funds will come from Transient Occupancy Taxes allocated by the Board of Supervisors.