LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As we move further into the season of giving, there are countless stories of people who choose to go the extra mile and help the less fortunate. This includes Jorden Brooks’ plan to help the homeless. 

What You Need To Know

  • One UofL student is looking to help the city’s homeless population

  • Jorden Brooks is creating care packages full of toiletries, other essentials  

  • So far, a handful of boxes have been made

  • He’s asking for donations to create more

Brooks is raising money to create care packages that are full of essential supplies like toiletries, clothing and water. So far, the 18-year-old freshman has put in his own money to fund six of these boxes.  

“I just really wanted to help within the city and to me, one of the biggest issues is the homelessness,” Brooks said. 

This project, called Helpings for the Homeless, began just before Thanksgiving. His Facebook group quickly grew to over 50 members. 

Brooks explains what inspired him to start this project. 

“My dad recently lost his house and I’ve always wanted to be able to help him and (I’ve) not really been able to so I guess I’m just doing something for people like him, people who could use help like this,” Brooks said.

 

A report by the Coalition of the Homeless released this April found a year-over-year rise in people experiencing homelessness. From 2018 to 2021, the number of people without a permanent home has risen 41% percent. Last year over 10,600 people were homeless in Louisville. 

Brooks is asking the community to help ensure this portion of the city’s population has the supplies they need to survive. He’s taking donations of both money and supplies. The goal is to help as many people as he can through the beginning of next year. 

“I’d like to keep building all these boxes up and get a very big amount and just go give them out in the masses on Christmas Day,” Brooks said. 

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