Pillowcase Project Update, March 2020

Thank you for all of your support in relation to the Pillowcase Project. I wanted to outreach, to first say that I hope everyone is doing well, and second, to provide an update on the where the project stands today.

Given the current COVID-19 situation, this project has-unfortunately-been postponed until the next legislative session (with over 400 pillowcases having been collected!). In addition to collecting pillowcases, the project also consisted of decorating events, which provided an opportunity for the homeless to share parts of their journey, and those had been going well thanks to folks at the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project (RIHAP).

Given the current health challenges being faced by many, the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless is working on a plan to sew protective masks for people experiencing homelessness. These are particularly needed if someone using a shelter or in an encampment tests positive for the virus. The Coalition outreached and asked if they could use some of pillowcases in this effort. It seemed like a no-brainer, so they now have about 100 of the pillowcases that have been collected. We can always collect more next year, but feel this is a great and timely way to support Rhode Islanders.

Again, I just wanted to thank you for your steadfast support in this effort, and I will plan to be back in touch once the committee has been restarted.