KEXP Basic Needs Drive Party a Success!
KEXP hosted the first ever Basic Needs Drive Party from 10am-6pm on Friday, November 15th to benefit homeless young people in our community! The purpose of the event was twofold – to collect donations of basic needs items for young people in need, and to enroll young people in healthcare benefits. KEXP’s Basic Needs Drive Party with Teen Feed served as a compliment to their annual Food Drive with Food Lifeline, collecting food donations at the KEXP office from Nov 8th-22nd (click here to learn more).
Early Friday morning, young people were waiting excitedly to enroll in healthcare benefits and listen to music courtesy of KEXP DJs. Throughout the day, we were visited by over 40 young people between 10am – 2pm, the rain and chill in the air serving as a reminder of how how tough it is for young people who live in our public spaces. Caffe Vita was on hand to keep us all warm with delicious coffee and Dante Inferno Dogs fired up the grill to make hot dogs for the youth and supporters on hand and KEXP DJs were spinning music all day to keep the momentum going. Free flu shots and basic needs kits were also available for youth in attendance courtesy of Walgreen’s and United Healthcare.
From 10am – 6pm, KEXP DJs promoted the basic needs drive on air, inspiring folks to come down and give bags of clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags and more to ensure youth are warm and dry this season. Basic Needs Drive donors received an Eltana Bagels gift card as a special thank you for their generosity. At the end of the day, we collected over *7 van loads* of basic needs items for youth, including:
125+ warm coats
175+ pairs of new socks
50+ pairs of underwear
30+ pairs of shoes and workboots
55+ hoodies
75+ Hats
35+ Pairs of gloves
30+ Scarves
50+ toasty sweaters
80+ long and short sleeved shirts
25+ sturdy backpacks
18+ sleeping bags
5 GIANT bags of toiletries, batteries, hand-warmers and much more!
Teen Feed’s Sean and Caffe Vita’s Rick with warm hats!
THANK YOU to KEXP, Caffe Vita, Dante’s Inferno Dogs, Eltana Bagels, United Healthcare and Walgreens. Special shout out to Sharlese, Jeff, Rick, Jen, Ryan, John Richards, DJ Troy, DJ Ashley, DJ Larry Rose, DJ Shannon, DJ Sean Morrow and ALL the folks who are helping ensure young people are warm and safe this season. We are truly inspired by the KEXP listeners, our in-kind partners, the youth we serve and our incredibly compassionate community. If you weren’t able to make it on Friday, you can still make an impact!
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
– Gather gently used items (clothing, sleeping bags, etc.) or purchase items to donate (socks, underwear, toiletries)
– Hold your own Basic Needs Items Drive – click here
– Make a financial contribution and designate your gift for “Basic Needs Items” – click here
Donation Drop-off Schedule: Every Tuesday and Thursday between 5-6pm at University Congregational Church – 4515 16th Ave NE (@ NE 45th). The drop-offs are prior to the Teen Feed meal. Contact Jason at jason@teenfeed.org or 206.229.0813 to coordinate. Should these drop-off times not work with your schedule, please reach Suzanne at suzanne@teenfeed.org or 206.949.1092 for alternative arrangements. Your donation is tax-deductible, and a receipt will be supplied for every donation.
Interested in learning more? Please reach Suzanne Sullivan at suzanne@teenfeed.org or 206.949.1092.