TOMS RIVER – On September 21, St. Andrew UMC in Toms River will host an exciting awareness-building and fundraising event called: Cardboard Box City. During this evening and overnight event, youth groups, scouts, school and sports teams, families, congregations, and corporate teams spend one night in a cardboard box. Participants bring the box, design it, and sleep in it, hoping it protects them from the elements.
“It’s a powerful experience for everyone that really drives home the need to support homeless families in our community,” said Erik Hall. “This is a great event for youth groups and church groups in the area.”
Interfaith Hospitality Network (the Northern Ocean County affiliate of Family Promise) works tirelessly all year long to provide housing support, meals, and assistance for homeless families. St. Andrew UMC is part of this vital network.
“There are homeless families all over northern Ocean County. They are difficult to spot, they look just like you and me: hardworking, raising children, and trying to build the best life they can for their family,” says Hall. “Unlike you and me, they face daily insecurity when it comes to housing. They don’t have a roof over their head. They don’t have a safe and secure place to call home.”
Participants are asked to bring at least $100 each in pledges as their ‘rent’ for the night in Cardboard Box City. There will be a soup dinner, games and activities, guest speakers, and more to pass the night. The event ends Saturday morning, September 22, with donuts and coffee to go.
Download a complete packet and information from standrewtr.org/missions or call the Interfaith Hospitality Network office at 732-736-1550