Click image to follow link.
Belk, the southern department store chain, held its first 2020 Charity Day Sale in October, raising $226,429 to support Family Promise Affiliates in their work to address family homelessness. In addition to funds raised from customers, Belk has donated more than $1 million to Family Promise as part of Belk’s Project Hometown initiative, which supports Belk’s mission to strengthen southern communities.
Family Promise and Belk partner to empower children and families experiencing homelessness. With Belk’s support, in 2019, the 85 Family Promise Affiliates in the Belk region served nearly 50,000 people through prevention, shelter, and stabilization programs, and other services. Eighty-two percent of the families in shelter achieved sustainable independence and 63,000 people volunteered. 2020 has seen an increase in the need for services due to COVID-19 and, with Belk’s support, Family Promise’s southeastern Affiliates distributed nearly 7,000 masks, 1,000 hygiene kits, and served 1,898 families in shelter.
Belk’s Charity Day Sales were delayed this year due the pandemic, but a second Charity Day Sale is planned for November 13-15, 2020. In 2019, Belk raised more than $10 million for its partners through these events. “Many nonprofits have faced financial difficulties this year and we hope that our Charity Sale inspires our customers to give back to charitable organizations that support their local communities,” said Jenny Anderson, Senior Director of Community Relations at Belk. “Family Promise is one of Belk’s national community partners, and we have a shared commitment to help underserved children and families. This $226,000 donation was proudly raised by our customers and will make an immeasurable impact to families facing homelessness.”
2020 has been a most challenging time, especially for families experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. “We are so grateful to our partner, Belk, for including us in their Charity Day Sale. The funds raised will support Family Promise Affiliates in the sixteen states where Belk operates,” said Cara Bradshaw, Chief Impact Officer at Family Promise. “During these very difficult times, we are working to prevent families from experiencing homelessness, shelter them safely while in crisis, and provide ongoing supports so they can maintain housing and employment.”
