FORT KNOX, Ky. (September 27, 2011) -- Over the past few years, homelessness has steadily been on the rise throughout the United States.
This steady rise has been the direct result of a poor economy, and in some cases, hard luck.
With the statistics surrounding homelessness rising at an alarming rate, many throughout the country have sought to bring awareness to this topic, with hopes of turning the tides of many of the unfortunate.
Taking a keen look at the homeless rates, Spc. Rose Shultz wanted to do something to help those in need and found her calling when she discovered the Warm Blessings Soup Kitchen in Elizabethtown, Ky.
The event that caught Spc. Shultz's eye was Cardboard Nation, in which Warm Blessings sponsors yearly on the third Friday of Sept. With Cardboard Nation, participants are sponsored by others to sleep in a box for a night at the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College campus.
"With Cardboard Nation, Warm Blessings simulates what it's like to be homeless and not have anywhere to go," said Spc. Shultz. "The money raised supports the soup kitchen while Cardboard Nation raises awareness for homelessness."
Spc. Shultz first learned about the Warm Blessings Soup Kitchen at the most recent Heartland Music Festival in Elizabethtown. The soup kitchen had a booth there which gave information on what they do. Being that this was exactly what she wanted to do in terms of volunteering, Spc. Shultz saw this as a golden opportunity to get involved.
"I always wanted to volunteer at a soup kitchen so when I saw the booth, I signed up immediately," said Spc. Shultz. "I like to do things to help others whenever I can."
Linda Funk, the event organizer for Cardboard Nation, said that she hoped the event would bring more awareness to the homeless. She said that there are many events that bring awareness to the situation, but not many allow other participants a first-person view of what it's like to be homeless.
Spc. Shultz said that sleeping in a box was a humbling experience, but looks to recommend the event to others in order to bring more awareness to an issue plaguing our country.
This is the fourth year that Warm Blessings has sponsored the Cardboard Nation event. Overall, more than $16,000 was raised this year to help the soup kitchen and raise awareness to homelessness.
Social Sharing