Sadly, homelessness continues to be a major issue in San Francisco. We see it every day and many of us would like to help in a compassionate way but simply don't know how.
Enter Crack+Cider.
Brits Charlotte Cramer and Scarlett Montanaro began Crack+Cider as a pop-up shop in London. The non-profit allowed Londoners to shop for inexpensive but much-needed supplies for their homeless neighbors, which Charlotte and Scarlett would then deliver to vetted homeless shelters.
The name comes from an encounter with a homeless gentleman in Berlin. He suggested that people might eschew offering him cash for fear the money would be spent on "crack and cider." The conversation inspired the women to find a way to give concerned people an opportunity to help the homeless in an effective way.
A former homeless Londoner named David was on the receiving end of a Crack+Cider gift pack. "That first winter was tough," David told the women, "If you guys were around it would have been a godsend!"
Cramer has now relocated to San Francisco and brought Crack+Cider with her. The non-profit is kicking off their debut local pop-up with a November 10th panel discussion at the Tenderloin Museum (which will also play host to the pop-up.) Four local homelessness advocates and experts will engage in a community discussion on how regular folks can best help the city's homeless. We're not sure how the non-profit's name might play to Bay Areans. Hoodline's report is already garnering comments from some folks who are on board with the concept but uncomfortable with a tongue-and-cheek use of "crack."
The pop-up shop will offer inexpensive and necessary gift options for local homeless people, including fleece sweaters, jackets, backpacks and canine care packs. Swing by the Tenderloin Museum to shop Crack+Cider from November 10th through December 23rd.
If you're looking for what to get a big-hearted friend for the holidays, a welcome gift to San Franciscans without a home, donated in their name, might be the perfect present.
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