A Call for Donations to Help Homeless at Willand Pond Encampment

As the days tick down to the closing of the homeless encampment near Willand Pond Community Action Partnership of Strafford County is looking for donations to help those who are staying there.

The encampment located on private property is being emptied on Nov. 8 at the request of the property owner. Somersworth Police will clear out the camp and anyone on the property after the 8th may face trespassing charges.

CAPSC is seeking donations from the community including:

• Wagons to help people move their belongings to their destination
• Sleeping bags
• Tents
• Gift cards to local restaurants or supermarkets for meals or other necessities
• Gas cards for individuals with vehicles
• Monetary donations that can be used to support services for those in need. To donate, visit the CAPSC website and designate a gift to the Willand Pond Emergency Fund at straffordcap.org/donate/

CAPSC is also seeking apartment owners who can accept or are willing to accept Section 8 housing vouchers to help connect encampment members with permanent housing.

Among the agencies offering help are: SOS Community Recovery Organization, Seacoast Mental Health Center, Pope Memorial Humane Society Cocheco Valley, New Hampshire Legal Aid, New Hampshire Legal Assistance, Easterseals, New Hampshire Bureau of Housing, New Hampshire Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, New Hampshire Mutual Aid Relief Fund, New Hampshire Harm Reduction Coalition, Waypoint, Cross Roads House, Greater Seacoast Community Health, Families First Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Somersworth and Dover Housing Authorities, Community 2. Partners, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, The Doorway, and the welfare departments of Somersworth, Rochester and Dover.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH