Thanks to the generosity of our donors, community partners, volunteers, and supporters, SISU was able to distribute:

• Bottled water

• Snacks and food

• Gently used clothing

• Adult sneakers and shoes

• Socks and other essential clothing items

• Personal hygiene kits

• HIV prevention information and educational resources

• Information about local programs and community services
  
  

These items may seem simple, but they can make a meaningful difference for someone living without stable housing. Access to clean water, proper shoes, clean clothing, food, and hygiene products helps protect a person’s health while also restoring comfort, dignity, and hope.

In addition to distributing essential items, SISU volunteers completed Street Outreach assessments with individuals who were willing to participate. These assessments help our team understand each person’s immediate and long-term needs.

We asked about areas such as housing, healthcare, transportation, identification documents, food access, employment, mental health support, substance-use services, and other barriers they may be experiencing. The information gathered will help SISU connect individuals with appropriate community programs, organizations, and resources.

This work reflects SISU’s M.A.T.H. Method—Mentoring, Advocacy, Transportation, and Housing. Our outreach is about more than handing someone a bag of supplies. It is about building trust, listening without judgment, identifying barriers, advocating for individuals, and helping them take their next step toward stability.

We also provided HIV prevention education and information so that individuals could learn about prevention, testing, treatment, and available health resources. Providing health education directly in the community helps reach people who may not otherwise have access to this important information.

SISU extends a very special thank-you to Premium Waters for generously donating an entire pallet of bottled water for our Street Outreach.

Water is one of the most urgently needed items during summer outreach. Individuals living outdoors are at increased risk of dehydration and heat-related illness because they may not always have consistent access to safe drinking water or a cool place to rest.

The donated water helped the individuals we served stay hydrated. It also allowed us to provide water for the dogs accompanying some of the individuals experiencing homelessness. For many people, their pets are their closest companions and an important source of emotional support. Being able to care for both the individuals and their animals made this donation especially meaningful.

The gratitude expressed by those receiving the water reminded us that access to something as basic as a cold bottle of water can make a life-saving difference.

We are also deeply grateful to KeyBank, Marlene, and the KeyBank staff for collecting and donating clothing to support our outreach. The donated clothing helped us provide individuals with clean, comfortable items appropriate for the summer. We especially appreciate community partners who recognize a need and take action to help us meet it.

Support from organizations such as KeyBank allows SISU to reach more people and provide a wider range of essential items. Their generosity demonstrates what is possible when businesses, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and community members work together.

This outreach would not have been possible without our dedicated volunteers and Street Outreach Committee. We sincerely thank Eddie, Gary, Iliana, Greg, Jonathan, and Isa for giving their time, energy, and compassion to serve the community.

Our volunteers helped with loading and transporting supplies, setting up the outreach area, distributing water and essential items, completing assessments, speaking with community members, organizing donations, and making sure the day ran smoothly.

Street outreach requires teamwork, patience, compassion, and physical effort. We are grateful to everyone who helped lift boxes, organize supplies, speak with individuals, and make each person feel welcomed and respected. SISU also provided food for our volunteers as a small expression of appreciation for giving their time and energy to empower others.

The success of this outreach is a reminder that it truly takes a village to empower others. Every donated item, volunteer hour, community partnership, and act of kindness helped us serve more than 45 individuals in one day.

SISU Empowering Others remains committed to meeting people where they are and providing client-focused mentorship, connections to services, and practical tools that help vulnerable individuals improve their quality of life.

Although one day of outreach cannot solve every challenge associated with homelessness, it can provide immediate relief, create an important connection, and remind someone that they have not been forgotten.

SISU welcomes donations throughout the year to help us continue supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Our most-needed items include:

• Bottled water

• Adult summer clothing, especially shorts and T-shirts

• New socks and underwear

• Adult sneakers and comfortable shoes

• Backpacks

• Personal hygiene products

• Feminine hygiene products

• Sunscreen

• Deodorant

• Toothbrushes and toothpaste

• Soap, shampoo, and body wipes

• Nonperishable snacks

• Pet food and water bowls

• Financial contributions to support transportation and emergency needs

Gently used clothing and sneakers should be clean and in good condition. Financial donations can also help SISU purchase urgently needed supplies and provide direct connections to services.

Click here to view and donate items from SISU’s wish list

If you or your workplace would like to organize a clothing, sneaker, hygiene-product, or bottled-water drive for SISU, please contact us. Together, we can continue bringing resources, dignity, compassion, and hope directly to people who need them most.

SISU Empowering Others—because it takes a village to empower others.