The need is great

COEUR d'ALENE - Jenny Taylor cares.

That's why she's trying to bring back "We Personally Care" to the Coeur d'Alene area.

"I think there's a big need in our community," the Coeur d'Alene woman said. "I think if we all rallied around between the stores, the businesses, the individuals, I think we could get donations and distribute these to the people who need it.

Taylor, a member of an outreach committee at St. Pius X Catholic Church, said "We Personally Care" existed several years ago. Volunteers collected donations of personal care items like toilet paper, toothbrushes, soap, razors, laundry detergent and diapers. Then, a distribution date was set.

The program eventually died out, but it's even more critical today to rekindle it, Taylor said. There are more homeless and more low-income, she added. More people are out of work.

"If you're having tough times financially, there are basic things you may not be able to afford on a regular basis," she said.

Taylor would love to see the community rally around this drive. There are an estimated 2,000 homeless in the area, but not many are aware of them.

"People don't know what the problem is," Taylor said.

Her goal is to combine cash and item donations, and volunteers. Drop-off points would be established, and in June, a date and place would be set for distribution.

It must be a communitywide effort, she said, to be successful and return as an annual event.

"We need a lot of volunteers and donations so we can serve a lot of people," Taylor said.

She has emailed and called local nonprofits, churches and community groups to see who would be willing to help. Some have responded and indicated they like the idea.

Howard Martinson, director of Fresh Start in Coeur d'Alene, said they need toiletries for their clients, about 50 to 75 a day.

"Any efforts to try and help us defray the actual financial cost is certainly appreciated," he said.

Meetings on the proposal are set for 12:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library Community Room; 4 p.m. Friday, also at the library, and 6:30 p.m. April 26 at St. Pius X Catholic Church gym, 625 E. Haycraft. Information: Jenny, 755-4216.