GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Every year in November, Jami Ridi moves her life into a box for a couple of days and sleeps right next to the iconic Ionia bridge.
"I think a lot of people don't realize that we have the problem that we have, because they don't see cardboard boxes under the bridges," Ridi said.
She has a mattress, some blankets and her dog to keep her company.
Ridi said she's so passionate about the issue because she's had personal interactions with those in Ionia's un-housed community.
"It's a growing problem," Ridi said. "I think rent is getting higher, it's just a problem and it's not going away. So we need to raise the awareness so that people know that there's a problem to get the support to change it."
Ridi said she does what she can to help with her own nonprofit, Pocket Change 360. It's located just down the street from where she sets up her box.
"We still have that problem," Ridi said. "It's just out of out of eyesight. Pocket Change 360 does offer care kits. If you go to our Facebook, we do put out different videos like what to do if you're facing housing insecurities and we go through the steps on what people can expect and realistic solutions."
The care kits they offer for those facing homelessness are free with no questions asked.
It's a small offering, she said, that means everything to those impacted by the crisis.
"We have people that sleep under the splashpad," Ridi said. "It's just devastating. Because I think it's a basic, it's a basic right need. I think everybody deserves at least a safe place to sleep."
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