Charlotte’s Tent City Of Homeless People Has A New Problem Of Rats
Charlotte’s Tent City – the place where dozens of homeless people now call their home – could use your help with ‘housekeeping’. They are seeing more rats in the area.
Several nonprofit organizations and members of the community have been diligent in dropping off food and supplies to support the 100+ people living in the area uptown near N. Tryon and 11th and 12th Streets. But, volunteers from one organization say what they DON’T need are the rats and other rodents they see attracted to the food and trash being left behind.
Kass Ottley and her organization Seeking Justice CLT have been avid supporters of those in Tent City, but has noticed an increase in the amount of trash volunteers leave after food drop off. “If people take food out to tent city, they don’t need to just leave it there. Please clean up after themselves. There is a huge rat issue”, Ottley says.
Until there is a more permanent solution, Ottley says she’s committed to helping those in Tent City. She’s used her own funds to buy food, small generators and even some wood for homeless to burn to stay warm. She encourages others to give what is needed. See list below.
Items can be dropped off and coordinated with Ottley and her group at 901 North Tryon Street. Contact Ottley at 980-221-0859.
TENT CITY WISH LIST
- Lighter fluid
- Fire starter logs
- Fire pits
- Firewood
- Lime (to get rid of rats)
- Phone chargers
- Old cell phones
- Small flashlights and batteries
- Pepper spray (for women and their protection)
- Blankets
- Gatorade
- Solar-powered generators
- Long johns (men and women, size medium and up)
