Sleep outs will occur all over town on this one night, and yours will be part of the excitement of the larger community movement. If, however, you have schedule conflicts that night, pick any date from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, preferably a Friday or Saturday night to accommodate work and school schedules.
Due to the pandemic, we’re asking that individuals, families, friends and faith communities sleep out in the safety of their own social “bubble,” choosing an outdoor environment that is safe and secure, and following current state COVID-19 safety protocols. Wash hands, wear masks, maintain physical distancing of 6 feet or more, avoid sharing objects and stay home if you are sick. Consult the Minnesota Department of Health for updated guidelines.
Read the FAQs below for tips on how to hold a Sleep Out or a Sleep In, or learn about the other ways you can raise funds to prevent homelessness in our community.
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Staying Warm
The sleep in experience is the indoor alternative to sleeping outside. It’s designed to bring families together to explore some of the ways that our neighbors experience homelessness and raise funds to support them.
This activity is perfect for families, friends and neighbors in your social “bubble.” Think of who you might turn to if you were experiencing homelessness and needed to double up — invite that person/family to join you. We encourage everyone who is sleeping out (or in) to schedule it for Saturday, Nov. 13. Sleep outs (and ins) will occur all over town on this one night, and yours will be part of the excitement of the larger community movement.
When our neighbors struggle with homelessness or housing insecurity, it impacts all of us.
Too many families and individuals in our community are struggling with housing insecurity and poverty, or are experiencing the crisis of homelessness.
The housing instability and economic uncertainty that our neighbors experience has only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
You’re doing something now – by participating in the Sleep Out! The money raised helps Interfaith Outreach deliver individualized services in six critical impact areas: family support, food, housing and neighborhoods, education and youth, employment, and transportation. Each year, money raised by the Sleep Out helps nearly 2,000 local families (that’s more than 6,000 individuals) stabilize, strengthen and thrive.
Looking for other ways to celebrate and tap into the power of collective compassion this season? Here are a few ways you can help Interfaith Outreach raise awareness and $3 million to prevent homelessness and create opportunities for everyone in our community to stabilize, strengthen and thrive.
More resources
For more information on the Sleep Out and how you can experience its transformative power, view and/or download our Sparking Compassion guide and Budgeting Through Poverty activity.