Volunteers Make a Measurable Difference in Sacramento’s Homeless Program System

Data from Sacramento Steps Forward indicates a troubling increase in homelessness within Sacramento County, with figures climbing from 5,356 in March 2025 to nearly 9,000 by September. This surge highlights a community in distress. On a brisk Sunday at César Chávez Park, organizations such as Sacramento Street Medicine, the Sacramento Poor People's Campaign, and Black Hair & Black Hygiene coordinated an event on November 30, delivering essential care and supplies to the unhoused population. Volunteers distributed hygiene items, food, medical services, and clothing. Faye Wilson Kennedy, an organizer with the Sacramento Poor People’s Campaign, emphasized the growing desperation: “People are just one or two paychecks from homelessness.” Despite the outreach, Kennedy advocates for more substantial solutions beyond temporary relief, citing the dire need for affordable housing. As local organizations strive to address immediate needs, community support remains crucial in tackling this escalating crisis.