A BRIDGES’ RUN

A "RUN" is the visit we make to our street friends. At each RUN stop, volunteers distribute clothing and toiletry items, serve soup and a beverage, and ensure that every street friend who visits the truck receives what they need. Most important, volunteers mingle with BRIDGES' street friends and share conversation. The bond established at this time has enduring value for both volunteers and street friends.

Our staff is responsible for scheduling and managing more than 150 RUNS each year, reaching out to 500 to 700 homeless friends every week, many of whom we know by name.

Listening to our homeless friends, on our RUNS and in between, keeps us rooted to their needs and concerns.

Signup

Signup to schedule a group Run, to join an individual Run or Mitzvah/Confirmation Run. Please note: groups (typically from schools, houses of worship, businesses or clubs) may signup for an OPEN group Run; individuals may signup for any OPEN individual Run; and, b’nai mitzvah or confirmation students may sign up for an OPEN Mitzvah/Confirmation Run with a parent. If a Run is CLOSED, please try another date.

Signup to make brown bag lunches. If you are making more than 10 lunches, please signup for an OPEN date. If the date is CLOSED, please choose another date, or contact us. Under 10 lunches, no signup necessary.

No signup necessary for breakfast bags.

Where we go, who we meet

Manhattan: BRIDGES has not missed a Friday night RUN to lower Manhattan since the first BRIDGES RUN in 1988. In lower Manhattan, we make three stops: Centre Street, Brooklyn Bridge and Batter Park. In total, we meet about 300-400 homeless individuals, mostly men and some families at each visit.

Newark: RUNs to Newark began in 1996. On Saturday mornings, we set up the RUN outside the Carlton Hotel, a shelter. There we see about 150 individuals, mostly men. In parallel, a second volunteer group visits the Emergency Residence Shelter at the Newark Y, often engaging in activities with the children in the shelter. Once a month, a RUN is made to the South 10th Street neighborhood in Newark where we meet approximately 60 men.

Irvington: RUNs to Irvington began in 2002 and expanded in 2004. On Sunday mornings, we set up the RUN inside the Irvington Neighborhood Improvement Corporation. There we meet about 150-200 men, women and children.