#TEAMMOLLY Supports Newly Housed Angelinos

#TEAMMOLLY brings community together and helps those most in need - an ongoing project to support newly-housed Angelinos.

More than 4,000 homeless Angelinos have been housed in Mayor Karen Bass’ first 100 days in office. Mayor Bass expects to help house 17,000 homeless people by the end of her first year as mayor. As Angelinos are being moved off the streets and into housing, Mayor Bass asked the community to provide “welcome bags.” Folks who have been unhoused need basic necessities such as towels, blankets, soap, and the like. #TEAMMOLLY is answering the call!

Molly never passed a homeless person without offering whatever she had to give; a smile, half her bagel, a bottle of water, anything at all. Molly did not accept that anyone should live on the streets. It pained her to see people in need. She was unwilling to avert her gaze and hurry past them. Our family sometimes volunteered at a shelter in Santa Monica. We smile, remembering how Molly asked to put chips in the lunch bags instead of turkey on the sandwiches. Molly was a committed vegetarian from age 4. She wasn’t about to handle turkey!

#TEAMMOLLY consists of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, most of whom never had the privilege of meeting Molly, but who are inspired by her to make the world a better place. #TEAMMOLLY purchased items from a Target community wishlist to create the welcome bags. The Molly Steinsapir Foundation matched each item purchased. 

On April 21, 2023, our community gathered at our synagogue, Kehillat Israel, to assemble the welcome bags. Molly was passionate about Judaism. We are proud that Kehillat Israel has named the Molly Steinsapir Early Childhood Center, where Molly attended pre-kindergarten.

Tikkun Olam is a concept in Judaism, which refers to various forms of action intended to repair and improve the world. Molly embodied Tikkun Olam. Through the Molly Steinsapir Foundation and #TEAMMOLLY, we help to repair the world in her name.

We assembled 250 “welcome bags” filled with Target gift cards, new blankets, clothing basics, full-size toiletries and more. Thank you to our #TEAMMOLLY clothing manufacturer, US Blanks, for donating t-shirts. And to all our volunteers and donors! We couldn’t do it without you!

The Molly Steinsapir Foundation is honored to have been presented with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol Building (Molly’s second flag of honor - her first came from then Speaker Nancy Pelosi) and a certificate of recognition from the office of Congressional Representative Brad Sherman. We also appreciate Deputy Mayor, Karren Lane, who attended our event at KI, along with her young son.

Working with the office of Mayor Bass, Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System (HOPICS), and St. Joseph Center, we loaded up the bags and delivered them to those most in need. The bags were such a hit that demand exceeded supply. Many asked how they could get a bag. 

This project was so meaningful that we’ve decided to make it ongoing. If you have any new essentials that would help someone newly housed or gift cards you’d like to donate, please send us an email. You can also purchase items through our Target community wishlist and have them sent directly to us.

Finally, tax-deductible donations to the Molly Steinsapir Foundation can be made on our website, as well as on Facebook and Instagram.

We appreciate everyone who shines Molly’s light and supports the work she inspires. We are making a difference every day.