Unite to Light and Backpacks for the Street Partner to Empower New York City's Homeless Population with Solar Chargers

Gabriel is a double amputee living on the streets. With little options for charging his phone, a solar Charger is a lifeline. Photo Credit: Backpacks for the Street.

Unite to Light, dedicated to providing solar lights and chargers to people living without electricity worldwide, is proud to announce a partnership with Backpacks for the Street (BFTS), a New York City-based nonprofit that supportive services to the city's homeless population. As part of this collaboration, Unite to Light has donated 50 solar powered Chandler Chargers to BFTS, a small step towards addressing the critical need for reliable power among New York City's unsheltered community.

New York City is facing a severe homeless crisis. In April 2024, 147,518 people slept each night in NYC shelters. That’s without including the number of unhoused people sleeping outside shelters. The lack of access to reliable power exacerbates the challenges faced by this vulnerable population, making it difficult for them to stay connected, access services, and remain safe. For those living unsheltered, the ability to charge a phone can be a lifeline, providing a means to communicate with loved ones, connect with support services, and receive important information.
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Unite to Light's Chandler Chargers are designed to offer a sustainable and reliable source of power, harnessing the sun's energy to provide electricity. These chargers will be included in the backpacks distributed by BFTS, which are filled with essential supplies such as food, hygiene products, and clothing. By incorporating solar chargers into these backpacks, the partnership aims to empower individuals experiencing homelessness with the tools they need to improve their daily lives and enhance their opportunities for self-sufficiency.

Unite to Light and BFTS first partnered in 2020 during the COVID crisis. It was then, when many of us were stuck at home, that the plight of people who were houseless came into better focus. Many in-person services, like mental health and housing requests, moved online, and people were dependent upon their cell phones to access services, yet they had no way to charge them. 

Medhi was about to exceed the 30 day maximum for immigrants In city shelters. Jeffrey at BFTS raced out to bring him an emergency sleeping bag, sheets, solar phone Charger and towel to this young man who is out of options simply because he's an asylum seeker. Photo Credit: Backpacks for the Street

Megan Birney Rudert, President & CEO of Unite to Light, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership: "We are thrilled to again partner with Backpacks for the Street to provide solar Chargers to New York City's homeless population. Access to reliable power is not just a convenience; it's a necessity. Our solar chargers will help individuals stay connected and access vital services, ultimately contributing to their safety and well-being.” Mrs. Birney Rudert continued, “We are honored to partner with Backpacks for the Street because they do an excellent job of meeting people where they are and treating them with dignity and respect." 

Jeffrey Newman, President and CEO of Backpacks for the Street, added: "This generous donation from Unite to Light comes at a crucial time. The need for reliable power sources among the homeless community cannot be overstated. These solar chargers will make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve, helping them stay connected and safe."
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This partnership between Unite to Light and Backpacks for the Street exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing pressing social issues. Together, they are lighting the way to a brighter future for New York City's homeless population.

$30 sends a solar-powered Chandler Charger to someone like Gabriel or Medhi:

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