Blanket Tampa Bay

Blanket Tampa  Bay is hard at work raising money to start an Urban Rest Stop in Tampa FL. On March 15th, we took our first leep with help from the NY Yankees who donated to us during their HOPE Week. We need your donations to make the "Tampa Urban Rest Stop" a reality, each donation makes a difference. Make yours count and help us spread the word.

A Rest Stop is a stand alone building where the homeless can go and take a shower, wsh their clothes and store some items for a short period of time at no change and in a safe environment. The Urban Rest Stop idea started in Seattle WA. after a study concluded that there were not enough public restrooms in the city and none that met the need of the homeless population for a place to wash, something that many of us take for granted each day.

Tampa's Urban Rest Stop would be modeled after the Seattle Urban Rest Stop. Below, it is described on their website.

"By providing access to essential hygiene services, the Urban Rest Stop improves the self-sufficiency of homeless individuals and their families.

The Urban Rest Stop is designed to serve a wide range of people: men, women, and families with children: youth, senior citizens, and people living on the streets or in shelters. The Urban Rest Stop specifically targets those who are especially disadvantaged, including disabled persons, veterans, non-English speaking people, immigrants, and people of color. The facility is handicapped accessible".

This project is very close to my heart and I have been working on it for the last 3 years. You never know the stories behind those less fortunate and it could easily be you or I. Please help us make this happen!