Today we’d like to introduce you to Donny Edwards.
Hi Donny, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story is routed in a past of childhood and adulthood homelessness. Those experiences of not having and relying on friends and family to find some shelter created a spirit of compassion and drive to help others at any level of need. While serving my country in the U.S. Army, I volunteered my time with a local nonprofit organization that feeds the unsheltered. This became a driving force in wanting to do more, which lead to the creation of my organization, Hunger Has No Religion. I saw a need in the people we were helping that was beyond food, one that would keep them healthy and comfortable in their own skin. My vision to serve those in and around my community pushed me to rally those in my inner circle and we worked every month to pull together hygiene kits.
In the beginning, we started with maybe 25 kits a month and as we reached out to our community business partners, schools and social media followers, we are now able to create and distribute at least 200 kits a month. I have worked as a volunteer for over ten years and my work has only begun. My ultimate goal is to open a transition home for veterans and unsheltered men and provide them with opportunities to learn life skills and reacclimate them back into society. We are an organization that runs strictly from the donations of our supporters and local business partners but as we learn more about the business of nonprofit fundraising and grant writing, the closer we will get to the purchase and population of our transition home.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of our struggles we’ve faced are… Funding/budget during the pandemic. Changes with our Board of Directors. Reliable volunteers. Finding a Grant Writer that is willing to work within our budget.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In 2016, I retired from the U.S. Army as a Sergeant First Class and currently manage my nonprofit organization. In July of 2021, I completed my real estate course and received my actual state license for Georgia. So technically, I am managing my nonprofit and beginning my real estate career in the early stages.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with us by volunteering during our Days of Service, which is held every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. We need volunteer barbers to collaborate with us to cut our male patrons at no cost to them or us. We can also receive support by donating on our website www.hhnr.org or donating hygiene supplies to our organization. Hygiene Supplies such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, bars of soaps, and deodorant (full size, not trial size).
Contact Info:
- Email: bod@hungerhasnoreligion.org
- Website: www.hhnr.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hungerhasnoreligion/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hhnr01/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHbwZhpjhpm6BL5GEx_EwFw
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ls/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awwl_xs_aRedAbAA6FVZXie=UTF8&lid=1V3HY64CJZQR&ref_=cm_sw_r_sms_awwl_xs_aRedAbAA6FVZX&ty=wishlist%20
Image Credits
William Farley, HHNR Team
