AKRON, Ohio — She’s been helping folks for years.
"St. Bernadette's soup kitchen in 1992, I was a freshman at the University of Akron,” said Lerryn Campbell, the advocacy coordinator at The Homeless Charity.
Since then, Campbell has been working with who she calls the house-less community.
"We’re here because these folks need somebody to call a friend and they need these items in order to make their day better or for survival,” said Campbell.
When the pandemic started, .the folks Campbell serves at The Homeless Charity in Akron were hit the hardest.
"A friend of mine came up with this idea that we could make handwashing stations and then we just started gathering vessels of any sort putting water in them and attaching soap containers,” she said.
Pretty soon, Campbell’s home became the spot for donations.
"It was really awesome, I would come home every day and there would be more items would show up on my doorstep, friends, family, that would come up with other creative ways that they could assist,” said Campbell.
It was working until the gifts started overflowing.
"We just moved what was happening on my doorstep, which is still happening on my doorstep, to a location where folks could come,” she said.
Now all the supplies Campbell is giving out live at 15 Broad Street in Akron.
The Homeless Charity was using it for office space, now it's a spot where folks needing a little help can drop in and get supplies.
"They definitely saved my life,” said Rob Pierce.
Pierce can’t say enough about what Campbell has done for him.
"I think if it wasn’t for her, I think everything would be completely different,” he said. "Anything you need here food, anything, they provide it, tents anything you need.”
Campbell encourages others to get involved because she says it's the little things that make the biggest impact.
"None of what we do is big right, it’s small it’s just small steps and kindness,” she said.
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