Hygiene bags for the homeless

The Blessing Bags event was held on September 26, 2021. It was the fourth Unity Mural Project community service event as part of an ongoing initiative between The Desire Foundation and Interstruct Design + Build to lend a hand to Parramore neighbors in need.

What started as an idea to distribute hygiene bags packed with products to benefit men and women who are homeless in Parramore grew into a much bigger event. Leave it to Jennifer H. Desire to keep the idea-wheel moving.

“Let’s also offer lunch,” she says. So we do.

“Free haircuts would be good,” she says, so she broadcasts to her network to find volunteer barbers. Two show up from @barberlogicc, work all day and promise to return for future events.

“I wonder how we can provide COVID-19 and HIV tests,” she adds. Soon, she’s recruited Allied Health Florida and The Center Orlando to fill the need. The Center brought its mobile clinic to provide private screenings.

Spectrum News 13 spent several hours with us during the event and interviewed Jennifer H. Desire (see the link below) about our Unity Mural Project event in Parramore. A crew of dedicated volunteers served 200 hot meals, handed out hygiene bags and connected our guests with additional free services including health screenings and haircuts, provided onsite at Interstruct’s office parking lot at 814 West Church St.

Thank you to all the volunteers, barbers, health care professionals, The Center and especially Jennifer H. Desire whose heart for helping others is an Orlando treasure.

Event Photography

We appreciate the ongoing event photography by Tony Ramzy who returns to each event, capturing moments of connection during these Unity Mural Project events. Check out his work on Instagram @ramzyinsight and consider booking him for a session or event. ⁠

Unity Mural Project on Spectrum News 13

How a mural became a landmark to help Parramore neighbors in need.
Justice for All: Mural is Orlando Artists’ Labor of Love
Air Date: January 13, 2021

News 13 at the Unity Mural Project blessing bags event.
Miles Don’t Matter: Orlando woman, now in Atlanta, comes home to help homeless
Air Date: September 27, 2021