Simple Activism

Brown Bag Lunch Online Presentation with Margaret Kellermann, Director, Hope Sack :

Margaret's term "Simple Activism" covers what any one of us can do to help when we see a need in the community, just by choosing one project we're passionate about. As a core example for this talk, Margaret will use her ongoing project Hope Sack, in which she distributes tote bags packed with toiletries, hygiene kits and other essentials to locals in need of the most basic items. Though many of the recipients are unhoused, others are experiencing emergencies, where fresh toiletries, socks and other basic items are valued.

As someone who has worked with and served homeless individuals for most of her adult life, she sensed a strong need of mostly unhoused people in Humboldt for simple essentials. She works one on one, talking with people about their short-term goals, and giving them tote bags of essentials, items that they tell her they need for the day. Kellermann is author of Annie California Book One, which follows the journey of a fictional 10-year-old Eureka girl, whose family finds itself suddenly homeless.

For its grass-roots work in offering the most basic health care to unhoused people and others experiencing emergencies, Hope Sack has received several grants. These include a Community Health Grant through the Humboldt Area Foundation and a grant from the Humboldt branch of Women's International League of Peace and Freedom (WILPF). As a project with nonprofit status, Hope Sack accepts donations to further its goals; you can reach Margaret directly through www.bluelakestudio.net/contact.

Hope Sack, Margaret Kellermann's ongoing project, distributes tote bags of toiletries, hygiene kits, and other essentials to locals in need. Hope Sack often works alongside St. Vincent de Paul in Old Town Eureka, is partnering with Arcata House Partnership (AHP), and is part of Margaret's DreamMaker long-term creative project (Brave Arts), with The Ink People for the Arts. You can reach Margaret directly through her website, bluelakestudio.net