HOPIVA : Providing food, clothing, and human connection to people experiencing homelessness.
GoFundMe : https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-hopiva-food-clothing-for-people-in-need
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/about.HOPIVA
What is HOPIVA?
HOPIVA is a grassroots initiative dedicated to supporting people experiencing homelessness and hardship through food, clothing, practical assistance, and genuine human connection. Our name reflects the values that guide everything we do: Hope, Opportunity, Purpose, Inclusion, Value, and Action. HOPIVA complements the work of established charities by combining direct personal outreach with support for trusted organizations already making a difference every day.
About Me
My name is Sara. I am a Belgian citizen who works full-time and dedicates much of my free time to supporting charitable causes. This work has been part of my life for many years. Week after week, I travel to Brussels for my regular routines, meeting people experiencing homelessness and witnessing heartbreaking conditions.
But this crisis is universal. Through my travels, I have witnessed the same harsh reality in cities and countries around the world. Despite the passing of time, the need remains incredibly high everywhere. The summer heatwaves are punishing, the winter nights are freezing, the hunger is real, and the lack of basic human dignity is devastating. Whenever and wherever I see this, I refuse to turn my back and choose to take direct action.
Direct and Personal Street Runs
Using my own funds, I regularly purchase and distribute essential supplies to meet people's most basic needs on the street. My personal runs focus on immediate nutrition by providing fresh meals and food packages. When someone approaches me on the street to ask for food and I am near a supermarket, I go into the supermarket with them and buy the food or essential items they need.
In addition, I focus on weather protection by distributing warm winter coats, sleeping bags, blankets, and clothing tailored to the season. To support this, I also gather and distribute clothes that kind individuals donate to the cause. With these tailored relief packs, I help people get through the brutal summer months and survive the freezing winter seasons.
A Principled Approach to Giving
To make sure every donation has the greatest possible impact, I provide food, clothing, and essential supplies directly instead of giving cash. When I take someone into a store, I only buy the items I can genuinely stand behind and believe they truly need. Furthermore, if I encounter someone experiencing a medical emergency, I immediately call an ambulance so trained professionals can provide the care they need.
Community Fundraising and Event Volunteering
Funding this work alone is difficult. That is why I also work with friends and volunteers at charity events to raise additional support.
The money raised through these volunteer efforts is never paid to us. Instead, 100% of the proceeds are transferred directly to trusted charities dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities. Through these contributions, we proudly help fund essential initiatives and projects that provide vital support, resources, and opportunities to improve the quality of life for these groups. We believe in the power of direct support, knowing that our partner organizations successfully guide these resources to where the need is most urgent.
A Christmas Gathering and Community Dinner
Beyond daily survival, my dream for HOPIVA is to rent a hall during the Christmas season where we can bring vulnerable individuals, families, and volunteers together around one big table. The goal is to share a beautiful, warm, festive meal together as a community, ensuring no one spends the holidays lonely or hungry. For the children caught in these difficult circumstances, we also want to provide toys so they can experience the magic of the holidays.
A Small Dignity Pilot Project
Many people experiencing homelessness carry everything they own with them every day. Secure storage or lockable transport can reduce stress and make daily life safer. As a small side-initiative, I am looking into a pilot project to help a few individuals safely secure their personal belongings. The goal is to provide them with affordable, lockable transport options so they no longer have to carry everything they own, giving them more peace of mind while moving through the city.
Allocation of Funds
Leaving everything to others is simply not in my nature; I want to stay actively involved on the ground. Therefore, the funds from this campaign will be managed transparently with a dual approach. A large portion of the donations will go directly to trusted, active organizations that I have personally seen working directly with people on the streets to provide immediate shelter, hot meals, and relief. There are many outstanding organizations doing incredible work, and I am proud to support them while continuing my own direct street outreach. I deeply appreciate every volunteer, donor, and organization working to support people in need. A smaller portion of the funds will be used directly by me to support and continue my own ongoing street runs, immediate supermarket support, and aid distribution.
The Long-Term Goal
This campaign is a stepping stone for the future of HOPIVA. If this fundraiser raises enough financial support, my goal is to scale up and start operating directly with a dedicated team of volunteers. With sufficient backing, we can transition from a one-person mission into an organized volunteer force that can handle bulk food and clothing purchases, manage larger holiday events, and scale up our direct community support.
Transparency and Privacy Policy
I believe in complete transparency. I will share regular updates through our social media channels so you can see exactly how your support is making a difference. In doing so, I will always respect all applicable privacy laws to protect the people we support and ensure we operate safely. To guarantee everyone's protection, the faces and identities of the individuals we help will never be exposed or recognizable.
How You Can Help
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us bring hope, dignity, and practical support to those who need it most.
We cannot do this alone. You can support us today by:
- Donating to our GoFundMe campaign to help fund food, clothing, and upcoming community initiatives.
- Sharing this link on social media ... to help us reach others who want to make a difference.
Every meal shared, every warm coat given, and every act of kindness reminds someone that they have not been forgotten. Together, we can bring hope where it is needed most.
Thank You
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your warmth, kindness, and solidarity.