From press materials by Family Promise of Monmouth County
While Monmouth County is considered one of the more affluent counties of the Garden State, the issue of family homelessness remains a very real problem here and throughout the area. Beginning on the evening of Friday, September 25, a local place of worship will serve as host location for an interactive fundraising event designed to raise awareness of this often little-discussed cause — by giving participants the opportunity to experience spending the night living inside a cardboard box.
Sponsored by the nonprofit Family Promise of Monmouth County — and presented “rain or shine” on the grounds of Monmouth Church of Christ (312 Hance Avenue in Tinton Falls) — the fundraiser begins at 5 pm, and offers participants an opportunity to raise a minimum of $100 in pledges and contributions, by sleeping overnight as a resident of “Cardboard Box City.”
Family Promise will award prizes for participants who raise the most money and present the most creative dwelling. The organization which “provides food, shelter and services to homeless families in Monmouth County in cooperation with a network of interfaith congregations, while advocating innovative solutions to chronic homelessness” welcomes the participation of families, youth groups, scouting troops and interested individuals in the overnight event, with sign-up available here.
