Rare Device x Homeless Prenatal Program

This year will mark our 9th year of donating a portion of our gift wrapping fees to the San Francisco Homeless Prenatal Program. It's an organization that former owner, Giselle, felt drawn to based on their work with mothers and families, breaking the cycle of poverty, and the direct impact they have in the community. 

HPP is celebrating 30+ years as an organization, serving 3,500 families per year with housing assistance, parenting classes, and family planning counseling. They also have a transitional living facility, the Jelani House, in the Bayview District. Residents of the Jelani House receive 24 hour support and assistance finding permanent housing. Other services include occupational training. A good percentage of HPP's own staff are former clients that have graduated from their job training courses. 

Tables set up in the garage of the HPP building where volunteers bag produce for food distribution.

This year, to learn more about the program, we went to their offices in Potrero Hill to meet the amazing people behind this organization, and to lend a hand during their Friday Food Distribution. On Friday mornings, Jodie Low, the volunteer coordinator, can be found in the parking garage unloading trucks of produce, allocating what gets put into bags, and then passing out the bags of produce to their clients. The morning we showed up, we packed 450 bags. Each bag had a variety of fruits and vegetables donated for the Marin Food Bank and other donors. By 3:30, all had been picked up. 

The RD Team on volunteer day in front of the HPP offices in Portrero Hill

The new year comes with new projects for HPP. They've recently acquired the building directly next door to their Potrero Hill offices that they're planning to convert into 100% affordable housing for their clients. Each family that enters their housing facilities are gifted a new home bundle that includes brand new kitchenware and toiletries that are either donated by companies or purchased. 

Know that each time you opt to pay for gift wrapping with us, it helps HPP to offer these services to families and mothers in need. If you're in San Francisco and are looking for volunteer opportunities with HPP, you can head over to their website or donate directly to them.

This holiday season, we're also happy to team up with Muchachi, who has graciously donated sheets of wrapping paper. For $8, while supplies last, get your presents wrapped in beautiful quality paper by a small business and give back to the community. It's a win-win!