Volunteers needed for Southeast Idaho Homeless Stand Down

POCATELLO – An event that connects people-in-need with community resources is coming up later this month, and it’s asking for volunteers.

The 29th annual Southeast Idaho Homeless Stand Down will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Pocatello High School from 9 a.m. to noon. The event, which hosts a variety of organizations that offer assistance to people facing homelessness or housing insecurity, or to those who “just need a little bit of extra help,” is in need of volunteers willing to donate their time.

How many volunteers do they need?

“As many as are willing to show up. We can use all the help,” said Kacey Skaar, board president of Southeast Idaho Homeless Stand Down.

Skaar said the event is held before the start of winter, to provide “an opportunity for homeless and low-income individuals and families in our area to access housing, employment, and healthcare resources that they may not know are available for them. So it’s just a big (event) … to help those who need just a little bit of extra help,” Skaar said.

And the way Skaar sees it, the event isn’t just for people suffering from homelessness.

“This event would be for really anybody to come in, and you know, see what community resources are out there to help them,” Skaar said.

People who don’t have access to another means of transportation can get there for free by taking the bus. People taking the bus should use Pocatello Regional Transportation’s B route and tell the bus driver they’re attending the event to have their fare waived.

PRT’s bus routes can be viewed on its website. People who want to use Sho-Ban Transportation should call (208) 478-4069.

Although a list of all the involved organizations isn’t finalized yet, the event’s promotional materials provide a generalized list of what kinds of help people will be able to find:

• Hot breakfast
• Healthcare services
• Clothing
• Hygiene kits
• Job assistance
• Veteran resources
• AND MORE!

Skaar said volunteers can sign up for different time slots. People who want to volunteer can call (208) 233-6276 and use either extension 1010 or 1005. People can also call the volunteer coordinator at (208) 881-3158.

“If we have volunteers, we can set them at a certain place, and it’ll just make the event run smooth and with no hiccups,” Skaar said.

And Skaar emphasized the importance of the event for the people who are helped, saying that it’s an environment where people can find help and become comfortable with those offering it.

“It’s hard for people to ask for the help (when) they either feel ashamed or embarrassed, and this event gives them the opportunity to come in and make those connections, to where they get on a first-name basis with us, and (then) they feel comfortable with asking for help,” Skaar said.

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