Midnight Run is a partnership program that addresses the needs of homeless individuals in New York City. Several times a year a group of volunteers gather to distribute clothing and food in the middle of the night.

The volunteers shop for food, prepare meals, pick up a van for delivery and pack the vehicle with bagged lunches, warm drinks, toiletries and clothing to distribute in the middle of the night.

The Midnight Run, Inc. is a not-for-profit that has been bringing together volunteers and the homeless poor since 1984. At that time a homeless woman speaking at a church gathering made it clear there were many homeless men and women whose most basis needs were not being met or for whom existing outreach programs were not appropriate. A group of concerned people from South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs ferry, New York responded and formed this organization.

The Midnight Run brings to people on the street many basic necessities like food, blankets, toilet articles, clothing, etc. and nightly between 100 and 1,000 nutritious bag lunches delivered by volunteers. The most critical item it carries is human contact. In addition to the supplies, the van which is loaned out by MR, Inc. also carries a group between 6-12 volunteers. The point of the run is to bring people together—volunteers and residents of the street-in an attempt to build relationships and break down barriers which often make people of different incomes, places, and lifestyles feel as if they cannot relate to one another.

Through MR, volunteers come to see homeless people as people, not a commodity, and homeless men and women learn that many mainstream” people have commitments and concerns which go beyond their own lives and families.

Visit the Midnight Run www.midnightrun.org