Lincoln-based company aims to fight homelessness around the country

(KOLNKGIN)
Published: Dec. 10, 2018 at 5:07 PM CST
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You may know Spreetail as an online e-commerce company, but the business says it has a heavy focus on community involvement. Now, the Lincoln-based company is hoping to help fight homelessness in the capital city, as well as across the nation.

"Our three pillars are a focus on the homeless, women with families in need, and children in need," said Chad Kilpatrick, head of community impact at Spreetail. "And the common thing for all three is a home. So it's so important to us that we find ways to help everyone have a home."

Spreetail has teamed up with Detroit-based non-profit, "The Empowerment Plan" to pass out 2,000 winter coats to people in need in 20 cities around the United States.

But these coats aren't just winter coats. They unzip to become a sleeping bag.

"We know in Lincoln, it's been cold, and it's going to continue to be cold, so we know people are going to need those," Kilpatrick said.

Throughout this week, Spreetail will partner with Matt Talbot Kitchen, CenterPointe and Cedars to pass out 100 coats.

"We are so glad to be a part of this," said Abbi Swatsworth, Chief Development Officer for CenterPointe. "We have a Street Outreach team who goes out on the streets and makes those connections with people in the community who battle homelessness, and we know just how important this is."

For Lincoln-based Spreetail, passing out these coats in its home city means even more.

"I think with homelessness, you don't always see it, especially in Lincoln," Kilpatrick said. "And it's been emotional to hand these out in other cities, but with your home, impacting that is always a little bit special compared to even traveling throughout the country."

Swatsworth said homelessness can happen to anyone at any time.

"I think people who are homeless often feel invisible, so just remembering to treat them with human dignity and smiling is so important," Swatsworth said. "So many people are just one big car repair or one unexpected medical bill away from being homeless, so it's all about understanding what people are going through."

Kilpatrick said Spreetail found The Empowerment Plan through a simple Google search.

"We are really passionate about homelessness, and the woman that started this just has an incredible story, and we knew we could help," Kilpatrick said. "As an e-commerce company we can use our buying power to buy things for non-profits and we felt like this one was super special."

Kilpatrick said he hopes more people in the community get involved in the fight to end homelessness.

"If you are inspired by what you see, I encourage you to check out these organizations and help out where you can," Kilpatrick said. "If you want to help with these coats, you can sponsor or purchase a coat through The Empowerment Plan."

You can learn more about The Empowerment Plan

.http://www.empowermentplan.org/