The new Uplift Resource Drive in the Bloch School wants to provide resources to the unhoused population of KC, and Alice Oropeza is ready to take action.
Community members will be able to donate items until Nov. 21 and the supplies, such as hygiene items, will go directly to people in need.
The business administration major organized the event through Launchpad, a scholarship program offered to incoming students in UMKC’s Bloch School of Management, that gives students opportunities for professional development and leadership.
Helping coordinate the drive is senior accounting major Trinity O’Leary, Launchpad’s student assistant.
“I really like volunteering and giving back to the community,” said O’Leary, “Uplift is a really great organization, I love their mission and what they do, so I was excited to get involved.”
Uplift is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization created 30 years ago in support of Kansas City’s homeless population. Their work includes four sprinter vans that navigate the street’s of KC to bring needed resources to the homeless, where they are at.
“I love the idea of thrift stores, but there has been a little bit of a disconnect with thrift store’s pricing and the unhomed community,” said Oropeza. “Uplift bridges that gap, instead of having people pay for clothes, it gives them to the people who need it the most.”
The drive is looking for hygiene items, clothing and basic needs supplies. A full list can be found here.
Uplift will not take business wear or children’s clothing, but if donated Oropeza found two other organizations that will take them including Big Brothers Big Sisters and Operation Breakthrough.
To see times and locations to donate, click here.
