A Supply And Information Fair For Those Experiencing Homelessness

It’s an event to help those experiencing homelessness, and while it’s all for a good cause, it’s also a lot of fun.

“We focus on men and women that are coming out of prison or jail, homelessness, sober living,” said Delisa Jones, owner of Second Chances Thrift Store. Jones opened the Second Chances Thrift Store at 2605 N. MacArthur Boulevard, as a way to support her real passion, to take care of the homeless population. “We feed one hundred and fifty friends daily a hot meal and a sack lunch daily,” said Jones. She provides bus passes, tents, tarps, sleeping bags, and much more. Today she called a few friends to come together and have a supply fair of sorts for her friends who are experiencing homelessness. “Community, like it takes a village and we’re so grateful for each person that has stepped up to be a part of this community,” said Jones. “I was in prison for a long, long time, and when I got out, I had no place to go,” said David, who was once without a home.

Through the services and efforts of the vendors, David says things are looking up for him. “I love it. It’s nice to see that people still care,” said David.

BeHeard Movement came from Tulsa to be part of the event. “A lady told me today, I haven’t gone to church in three weeks because I haven’t showered, I feel ashamed,” said Evan Dougoud, founder and CEO of BeHeard Movement. BeHeard, not only supplied showers, laundry services, and haircuts, but they also kept things lively with music and dancing.

Tim Manthey offered the guest an option for dealing with mental illness. “This is the tool that worked for me, it won’t work for everybody, but we won’t know what it will do for us until we experience it,” said Tim Manthey, founder of Sack Life.   He’s been punching the bag daily for over fifteen hundred days, and he says that helped his depression. “Twenty days in, it stopped my suicidal ideation, forty days after sharing it, it stopped another friend’s ideation, and now it’s been helping people all across the country,” said Manthey.

The day was all about fun and information, with the intent that everyone be treated with respect. “Have somebody that sees them, just as they are without judgment, and that they have a safe place to always come,” said Jones.

To get information about any of the vendors visit @ Second Chances Thrift store on Facebook.