DETROIT – A powerful partnership is combining the power of music with care and concern for Detroiters experiencing homelessness this winter.
There’s a chance for many of you to enjoy free concerts and help with a donation drive if you’re in a position to give to others.
City of Detroit Composer Laureate Patrick Prouty is partnering with Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church and United Way for Southeastern Michigan to present Concerts for Caring.
The partners are reaching out to residents across the region to drop off items for those in need.
Concerts for Caring aims to uplift local musicians while supporting neighbors in need throughout the winter season.
We’ll post the dates for the free concerts at the end of this article.
First, here’s how you can help those dealing with homelessness during the often brutal cold temperatures we experience during the winter in Michigan.
“We are excited to support the City of Detroit’s Concerts for Caring series because it brings people together around a shared commitment to help our neighbors meet their basic needs,” said United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s President and CEO, Dr. Darienne Hudson. “This series is a meaningful way to raise awareness and resources for families across our region, and we are proud to partner in an effort that connects community, culture, and impact in a tangible way.”
Items needed the most are listed below:
Home Goods: Bedding, blankets, bed frames, mattresses, dressers, toddler beds and bedding, pillows, lamps, sofas, end tables, ottomans, bookshelves, dining tables and chairs and highchairs.
Kitchenware: Bakeware, pots and pans, small appliances (Crockpots, coffee makers, toasters), utensils, glassware, dinnerware, knives, cutting boards, oven mitts and dish towels.
Household Basics: Batteries, cleaning supplies, mops, brooms, buckets, dish soap, laundry detergent, hand soap, hangers, trash bags, dishwasher pods, laundry baskets, light bulbs and paper products (tissues, paper towels, toilet paper).
Here are the drop off sites accepting donations:
- United Way Fulfillment Center, 13660 Stansbury Ave., Detroit, MI 48227 Hours: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday–Thursday
- The Fisher Building (Main Floor), 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202 Hours: 24 hours / 7 days a week
- MiSide, 2835 Bagley, Suite 800, Detroit, MI 48210 Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday–Friday
- Franklin Wright Settlements, 3360 Charlevoix, Detroit, MI 48207 Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday–Friday
- The Pope Francis Center, 438 Saint Antoine Street Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Tuesday: 12–1:30 p.m. Thursday: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Pope Francis accepts only the following items: Socks, undergarments, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, warmers, hats, and gloves.
These items will be collected during the concert series and delivered directly to the Center for distribution to guests using the Center’s services.
Donations collected will be distributed directly to partner organizations and Detroit families through existing community channels.
The free concerts start run in January, February and March.
The January concert will feature headliner Gayelynn McKinney’s Straight Ahead Trio and The JC Heard Jazz Week @ Wayne State All-Stars.
Headliners for the February and March concerts will be announced soon.
The public is invited to attend live performances at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church located at 629 East Jefferson Avenue on the following dates:
- Saturday, January 10 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, February 22 at 3 p.m.
- Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m.
Register for tickets at: https://concertsforcaringdetroit.eventbrite.com