When you hear the words, “homelessness” and “hunger,” who and what do they make you think of? Many think that homelessness and hunger “only affect middle-aged men,” or “homeless people need to ‘just get a job,’ ” or “people are homeless by choice.” Nothing about these assumptions could be further from the truth.

The reality, according to the Sojourner Truth House website, is that women and families with children  are the fastest growing segments of the homeless population. A lack of clean clothes, showers, transportation, a permanent address and phone number makes finding and keeping a job incredibly difficult. People don’t choose to be homeless: They may lose jobs, flee domestic violence or struggle with mental illness or trauma and, as a result, can no longer afford a place to live.

To help address these issues, Sojourner Truth House will be the beneficiary of Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up from Monday, April 21, through Sunday, April 26. Customers across the Region can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar when shopping at their local Strack & Van Til store with the extra funds donated to the organization.

According to Tony Englert, certified fund-raising executive, Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ director of development and fundraising operations, proceeds collected through the Strack & Van Til Check out Challenge Round Up will allow Sojourner Truth House to continue daily services to homeless women and their families at their Day Center. The funds will help provide personalized support including access to case management and therapeutic classes on skills, parenting, financial literacy, art therapy and wellness while focusing on obtaining housing stability.

Sojourner Truth House is a ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, offering hope and help for homeless and at-risk women and their children. Through hospitality, advocacy, integrative services and collaboration, participants improve their quality of life and that of the community in a safe, trusting environment. The organization accomplishes this by providing holistic case management services, offering entrepreneurial and therapeutic programs, operating the largest food pantry in Lake County and providing housing assistance.

The organization serves thousands of people each year through its numerous outreach programs. In 2024, 142 clients met regularly with Sojourner Truth House case managers, 66 clients a month joined therapeutic programs, 43 children were cared for on a regular basis in the Children Enrichment Center, 44 individuals exited homelessness and were able to secure housing, 24 clients gained job skills through their Career Service Program and 9019 households received 330,526 pounds of food from their food pantry, Englert adds.

Sojourner Truth House Executive Director Angie Paul notes: “Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up is a wonderful way for the community to help us as we work to walk alongside women and their families who face homelessness, poverty and instability. We are extremely grateful to Strack & Van Til for making this happen across all their stores.”

Strack & Van Til continues its more than 95-year tradition of philanthropy by raising funds through the Checkout Challenge Round Up program to help organizations in the communities it serves throughout Northwest Indiana.

Strack & Van Til President Jeff Strack credits customer generosity and employee commitment for the success of the Checkout Challenge Round Ups.

“Our customers are the ones who give back to the community, and we are so grateful for them,” he explains. “Our stores, with the help of our employees, provide our customers with an outlet to give to some of their favorite local organizations.”

Show your support for Sojourner Truth House by participating in Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up.

For more information on programs, to volunteer or to donate, visit poorhandmaids.org. To learn more about how Strack & Van Til gives back to the communities it serves, visit strackandvantil.com/company/community-involvement.