GOL Starter Packs...Direct, meaningful support for Long Island's homeless families

How many times do you reach for a fork, plate, or coffee cup without a thought? Or a towel when you come out of the shower?

Imagine yourself finally in your new home without any of these basic items...yet this is the experience faced by hundreds of Long Island's homeless families. Despite government assistance that they might receive, no funds are ever allotted to cover the costs of such basic human needs.

The Gathering of Light community began its Starter Pack Program as our most important service mission in 2001, and since then we have delivered hundreds of Starter Packs to the various agencies whose clients are ready to move out of shelters and into permanent housing. So far this year (2023) we prepared and delivered over 40 Starter Packs to families in need. We have also expanded our outreach to foster care youth who have aged out of the system.

Our immediate goal is to expand our services to additional shelters that house families and individuals in need. But as poverty and homelessness on Long Island rises, and increasing numbers of children age out of the foster care system, demand for the Gathering of Light's Starter Pack Program is growing steadily, and we need additional funding and donors to meet that demand.

Our Process

As word of our mission spread, local homeless agencies and foster care organizations began contacting us directly. The Starter Pack Volunteer Coordinator works with the agency and family to determine the specific needs (for example, infant bedding and feeding utensils), moving dates, etc.

Our volunteers then assemble and deliver the Starter Packs, which consist of both new and gently used merchandise. Each pack includes household essentials such as pots/pans, cutlery/dishes, glasses/mugs, kitchen utensils, towels, blankets/linens and cleaning supplies (see list below).

Behind the scenes, we have a highly organized and attentive inventory manager, who makes sure our stock is replenished when items run low. Generous donations from the Gathering, its members and friends support us in the endeavor.

Current Urgent Need!

The rent on our commercial storage unit was recently increased by 40%, and other storage companies had similarly high fees. Since there is a 900 sq. ft. cinderblock building on the property, we have undertaken the huge task of creating access and renovating it to meet our needs. If you would like to donate specifically to this endeavor, please go to our GoFundMe page, or donate through our Venmo portal here: <link>