Coated in Love's Danielle Igbanugo can’t believe the growth of the event that gives away warm clothing, food, services, and more to the homeless and others in need.
When 3000 Acts of Kindness was first held, exactly five years ago, about 900 people attended and a handful of volunteers helped run things.
By the end of Monday’s event at the Minneapolis Convention Center, more than 4,000 guests will go through the lines.
And they’ll be helped by nearly as many volunteers.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” she said about the event she created. “I’m just sad that there are this many people that need help.”
Help includes piles of warm-weather coats, rows and rows of footwear, and even a place to get a haircut.
“Some people haven’t had their hair cut since the last 3000 Acts of Kindess,” Danielle said. “There’s a gentleman that said he hasn’t had a new coat in 15 years, he was actually one of the first ones in line.”
That line filled up the large lobby outside the convention room, and it stretched all the way around the hallway.
“This whole thing is grassroots, right?” Danielle said. “This is word of mouth. People come here, volunteers come here and share it with their friends and family.”
Most important, the event shows how deep the problem is.
“Some people are here just to be seen,” Danielle said. “We’re here to meet every need that we can.”
According to Coated in Love’s website, In a single night nearly 8,000 Minnesotans experience homelessness.
Nearly 40% of them are women and children.