Patrick McBride, a second-year student at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, closed the fall semester by leading a winter collection drive for the homeless.
With the goal of collecting warm winter items – blankets, jackets, scarves, gloves, etc. – McBride’s efforts led to more than 400 items being donated and distributed. Students, faculty, staff, and volunteers contributed to the collection.
McBride distributed some of the items directly, making trips to the River Market to hand out the cold-weather items in addition to toiletries, snacks, and water.
“These folks took enough items for themselves and also took things for others they tend to spend a lot of time with,” McBride said. “Many of the folks experiencing homelessness in Little Rock find groups that become like families – they share spaces, resources, and stick together because it provides for more safety.”
Many of the clothing items that were not one-size-fits-all were delivered to The Van’s donation bin in North Little Rock. The Van is a visible piece of The One, Inc., a nonprofit founded in 2011 whose mission is to locate and love unsheltered homeless.
“I know they (The Van) serve more of the population in need and would have an easier time distributing items that were specific sizes,” McBride said.
Even before moving to Little Rock in 2017, McBride made regular organizing efforts for local homeless populations. While living in Washington, D.C., he packaged food and water and delivered them to homeless camps and gathering spots.
“I wanted to give back,” he said. “I ordered lunch bags, snacks, and waters and I started going out every couple of weeks around 11 p.m. to the church awnings and other spaces I knew folks gathered overnight.”
One of the reasons McBride takes such initiative to help homeless populations is a personal one. His father, who suffers from addiction and mental illness, is homeless.
“It is a hard spot to be in to have someone you care about experiencing homelessness, but who is unable and unwilling to receive help,” McBride said. “I go extended periods of time not knowing if he is still alive. Every couple of years, I actually get him on the phone, but he is always so out of it and unwilling to accept help.”
Addiction and mental illness are closely tied to homelessness in the United States, with nearly one in three chronically homeless people suffering from mental illness, and two in three suffering from substance abuse.
McBride says he will continue to distribute snacks and bottled water from his car and will continue to collect items for distribution. He still has a small supply of hats and gloves to distribute this winter.
“I, unfortunately, cannot help my father,” McBride said. “But I can do my best to help the people I come across in my daily life. This is one of the ways I try to do that.”