Holliston chapter to hold backpack drive at Holliston Library

On June 30, students from the local community, participating in a club begun by a Hopkinton student called Advocacy for the Unhoused, spent a day in Boston supporting people experiencing homelessness. Three teams of students worked together. One team handed out care packages directly to individuals experiencing homelessness, one team worked a meal shift in the kitchen at Rosie’s Place, and one delivered supplies, both to Rosie’s Place and Pine Street Inn.

All told, Advocacy for the Unhoused, a student group begun by Madhavendra “Madhav” Saxena, of Hopkinton, delivered $3,352.77 in supplies, and the effort is still growing. 

The student-led 501(c)(3) now runs in four towns — Hopkinton, Westford, Holliston, and Medway — with 56 volunteers. 

“I’m always doing volunteer projects on the side,” says Madhav Saxena, now a UMass Amherst freshman, who created the nonprofit club and was particularly inspired by his experience volunteering for Project Just Because. “I feel the people in (our) communities are more fortunate, to have a home and have food, and it’s our responsibility to help out.” He found, when he and his fellow volunteer students canvassed their neighborhoods door-to-door, many were willing to help.

“Once they see the problem is getting worse, they’re super willing to donate,” he says.

Saxena, at first, built his volunteer group with friends, but soon, they reached out to students at other schools, in particular those who had been very active in other clubs.

One such student is Holliston High School rising sophomore Diya Simhadri, who will lead the club at her school this year. 

“After hearing more about the mission of the club — improving homelessness rates — I was immediately on board,” says Diya, adding, “As a firm believer in affordable housing, the non-profit really stuck out to me, and I was grateful for the opportunity to help the community. Being the child of immigrants, I know how hard people work just to live a sustainable lifestyle.” She was able to get the program going in Holliston in March of this year, with her first fundraiser a bake sale, which raised $457.

“I was truly in awe to see how many people contributed to the cause. It has really taught me that small actions such as a bake sale can really make an impact and bring the community together,” says Simhadri, “I’m constantly eager and determined to plan the next fundraiser or event.” The Holliston branch’s second fundraiser, a door-to-door candle sale, earned $339. 

The Holliston students, on the day of the Boston trip, worked as volunteers at Rosie’s Place, processing food such as onions and potatoes.

“We spent three hours processing so much food,” says Madhav.

All of the students took the train into Boston, and so the teams with deliveries to the shelters carried 30 boxes or so to the shelters by foot.

“Pretty much, our philosophy is to not spend anything that’s not directly helping unhoused people,” says Saxena, “Every single dollar we get, we’re going to donate directly, and any cost assumed, we just came up with ourselves.”

Similarly, the third team carried backpacks, filled with such items as water, electrolytes, food, socks, wet wipes, shampoo and other toiletries, throughout Boston, distributing them to folks living on the streets who could use them.

“We’re actually looking for people to donate more backpacks,” says Saxena, noting that Hopkinton High School is a collection spot, as is Holliston Public Library. Toiletries are needed, as are women’s hygiene products and in particular, socks.

Saxena is particularly proud of a custom web app the students have built, which allows donors to see exactly how each contribution was used. On their website,  www.hauhelps.org , they also publish detailed breakdowns of funds raised and supplies distributed. 

Transparency is important, says Saxena, who, in fact, will study finance in the fall. “I want people to know how we used their money, all that kind of stuff,” he says.

Diya says that as HHS lead this year, she will focus on expanding the club.

“I would really love to involve upperclassmen or the new freshman with the club, as it is all sophomores at the moment,” she says, “Diversity in the club is something I think would help bring new ideas. I would also aim to host at least one fundraiser a month , likely at sports games.” She adds she would like to build stronger connections with local organizations and shelters. 

“Working with organizations would allow us to truly understand the needs of the people and ensure our initiatives are consistent and impactful,” she says.