For the City Times 

APPLETON —  The Family Radio Network:  91.9/91.5 and 88.5, announced the results of their 2017 “Help for the Homeless” hygiene drive that raised a record-breaking $377,000 worth of new hygiene and cleaning products to their local crisis programs in 15 Northeast and Central Wisconsin communities.

In its 25^th year, “Help for the Homeless” has provided $2.5 million worth of hygiene supplies to local crisis programs and those they serve.

“The toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant that I received this week is going to make a big difference in how I feel going to work every day,” said Wausau native and recipient Cecelia. “This helps me stretch the money I do have for my kids and other essentials that I’m not able to buy otherwise. This community is so generous.”

The Family works with area homeless coalitions, inviting people to donate hygiene and cleaning items to their local crisis programs to help them direct their limited funds to providing qualified staff, counseling, shelter, and food to those they serve.

“This is a God-send when it comes to supplying my feminine care needs,” said a St. John’s Shelter guest out of Green Bay. “Thanks for helping make this time a little easier and more bearable for me.”

820 local businesses, churches and schools participated by placing collection boxes in their high traffic areas and inviting their own staff, members and students to donate for three weeks this spring. Public collection boxes were hosted by Festival Foods Stores, Shopko Stores, and Walgreens. Donations remain in the community where they are collected. The goal of “Help for the Homeless” is to supply a year’s worth of products to each agency.

The Family Center in Wisconsin Rapids participated in this drive, as well as the South Wood Emerging Pantry Shelf.