Staff at the International Monetary Fund marked Giving Tuesday by volunteering to pack over 1,000 boxes of winter essentials to distribute to the homeless in Washington, DC.

Forecasters are already predicting a harsh winter and our homeless neighbors need help. According to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee, as of January 2019 there were 9,794 homeless individuals.

With winter bearing down, the boxes contain gloves, scarves, hats, handwarmers and toiletries – all items that have been identified as critical supplies to the thousands of homeless in the DC area.

300 volunteers helped by assembling 1,200 boxes containing winter essentials to be distributed by local charities Bread for the City, Charlie’s Placeand Miriam’s Kitchento their clients during the holidays.

Each box contains a handwritten note from the person who packed it.

The event coincides with the Giving Together campaign by staff, which raised $6 million in 2018 alone. This season for the first time ever the IMF has doubled its charitable giving program to a 100% match for all staff donations.

More information can be found at: https://www.imf.org/en/About/imf-giving-together