The holiday season for some homeless military veterans in San Diego brightens on December 16, 2009, with the distribution of 150 Winter Survival Backpacks, filled with hats, gloves, toiletries, blankets, and food, along with donated clothing, books, and home-baked treats.

The nonprofit Girls Think Tank (GTT) put together the 4th annual event, recruiting volunteers and donors from around the county, as a way to give back to veterans. GTT event organizer Amlyu Weas said, “with the Winter Survivor Backpack project, Girls Think Tank and its supporters are able to show thanks to military veterans who have served our nation and given of themselves. As President John Fitzgerald Kennedy said, ‘as we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.’ ”

In a statement about the event, U.S. Representative Bob Filner of San Diego said, “It is imperative we take care of our homeless veterans all year around especially in the cold winter months.” Filner is chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

The event happens at 6:15 p.m., outside the veterans winter shelter, located on Sports Arena Boulevard, behind Goodwill, 3663 Rosecrans, in the Loma Portal area. The shelter, which opened December 9th and operates for 120 days, houses and provides services for 150 male veterans. The City of San Diego program is operated by the Veterans Village of San Diego.

In November, GTT gave out Winter Survival Backpacks outside the winter shelter downtown and has distributed approximately 1000 backpacks since the project began four years ago. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to collect used clothing for upcoming GTT events this winter.

Girls Think Tank started in 2006 when local attorney Rachel Jensen, tired of idly passing by a homeless neighbor, gathered girlfriends for a dinner party and brainstormed solutions. They decided to start Girls Think Tank, with a theme of empowerment and individual action to make a difference in our community. A $20 donation, 1 hour of time: microjustice – like microcredit, hands-on and direct – is the Girls Think Tank model. The new GTT Homeless Coalition will launch a Basic Dignity campaign in 2010. The Coalition includes GTT members, social service and homeless groups, places of worship, businesses, residents, and homeless persons. For more information about GTT and the Winter Backpack Survival project, email girlsthinktank@gmail.com or visit GirlsThinkTank.org. GTT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Diego.

Greetings Thinkers!

We are gearing up for our 4th Annual donation drive for San Diego’s homeless and need your help.  Would you consider putting up a bin up at work, your child’s school, neighborhood coffee shop, or place of worship for donations such as gently-used sleeping bags, blankets, tents, tote bags, warm clothing, shoes, new socks or undies, beanies, gloves, toiletries, feminine products, and non-perishable foods?  We can send you a flyer to post and are happy to arrange pick ups for any donations collected.  Let us know by emailing girlsthinktank@gmail.com.   

Upcoming Schedule for Distributing Winter Survival Packs to Homeless Community

We need your helping hands in getting the much-needed supplies out to the streets!  Please join us at one of these events:

• Looking for a hands-on service project for you and your family to help give back this holiday weekend?  Meet us at 2 pm on Saturday Nov. 28th at corner of 16th St. and Island Ave. downtown.  We will distribute Winter Survival Packs, serve pizza, and take surveys of people living on the streets to see if they have access to the basics (water, food, shelter, toilets, etc.) in San Diego. 
• Help us honor our homeless veterans this holiday season!  Meet us at 5:45 pm on Wednesday Dec. 16th in the lobby of 655 W. Broadway to help load up and car pool to the winter vet shelter located behind Goodwill in Point Loma (3663 Rosecrans St.).  We will distribute Packs, books, other critical supplies, and would love to bring home baked cookies if we have volunteers to make them again this year. 

Email girlsthinktank@gmail.com for more details or directions.  Let us know if you can bring hot food or other supplies.  Last year, homemade brownies brought BIG smiles to the faces of the vets.  

GTT Coalition on Homelessness

We are building a coalition of individuals, city officials, community leaders, and organizations who share a vision of a city that cares for and responds to the needs of the homeless.  We are planning a campaign kick off for citywide access to the most basic needs – water and toilets.  Please join us Thursday, Dec. 3rd at 6 pm at the law firm of Coughlin Stoia, 655 W. Broaway, 19th floor.  Pizza will be provided.  Please RSVP by emailing girlsthinktank@gmail.com.    

We look forward to seeing you this Winter!

Your Friends at GTT