TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The crinkle of 100 paper sack lunches rustled in Deb Balderas' and her family's cars as they drove through an eastside Tucson neighborhood.
Along with the sack lunches, they also had loaded up 100 brightly-colored drawstring backpacks, filled with items like toothpaste and a first aid kit.
“Even though we started with 100, we actually have a lot more things to be able to give away,” Balderas said.
The team rolled out of their driveway with a plan: to hand out the items to as many people in need as possible. They stopped at intersections and random sidewalks across town before setting up a table at Santa Rita Park.
"If they’re interested, we’ll hand them a backpack and a sack lunch, the blanket and the tarps,” she said.
Balderas said this year was the first time they've distributed backpacks but they've made lunches before.
“Several years ago we just started off making lunches," she said. “This year we decided to take it to a whole new level.”
In Pima County, the 2024 Annual Point and Time count shows that over 2,000 people locally—adults and children—were experiencing homelessness.
Balderas said it's something that tugs on her heartstrings and she just wants to help.
“I think it's really sad when I see all these individuals that don’t have homes and I get even more sad when they’re veterans,” she said.
She got a lot of the items donated from community members, she said. Next year, she hopes their project will keep growing and she encourages others to do their part.
"I think you have to start somewhere," she said. "Start little.”
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Tina Giuliano is a reporter for KGUN 9. She is a native Arizonan and grew up in Scottsdale. Tina is passionate about storytelling and is excited to work telling Tucson's stories. Share your story ideas and important issues with Tina by emailing tina.giuliano@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
