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Spring Drive to Provide Personal Items to The Gathering Inn's Emergency Shelter

March 13, 2026

Folsom, Granite Bay, Roseville, Calif. – (March 13, 2026) – SAFE Credit Union is lending its support to The Gathering Inn by collecting personal care items this spring – typically the time of year when the nonprofit’s organizers see fewer donations.

“At this time of year, we tend to see a seasonal lull in donations, which makes community drives like these especially important,” says The Gathering Inn Director of Philanthropy, Communications and Marketing Meredith Adams.

“Personal hygiene items are always a critical need for our guests, as they support both health and dignity,” Adams adds. “These everyday essentials are part of the care and support that helps our guests focus on healing, rebuilding, and moving toward sustainable housing.”

SAFE’s “For Fresh Starts: SAFE Personal Care Items Drive for The Gathering Inn” collection drive kicks off to coincide with the credit union’s Grand Opening Celebration of its new Granite Bay branch at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 20. The drive runs through Monday, April 27.

Along with the Granite Bay location, donations can be brought to SAFE’s West Roseville branch or to the lobby of the credit union’s headquarters at 2295 Iron Point Road in Folsom.

SAFE is accepting the following new and unopened items for the drive: body wash, conditioner, lip balm, deodorant, razors (3-blade disposable), shampoo, toothpasteand sunscreen. Donations will be used at The Gathering Inn’s South Placer Emergency Shelter on Berkeley Avenue in Roseville. The location provides shelter and supportive services to men, women and families experiencing homelessness in Placer County.

 
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The Gathering Inn's Senior Director of Programs Gabe Starkey joins a guest before he moves into a new home.

In addition to financial and youth/young adult education and workplace development, SAFE Credit Union focuses its philanthropic giving on programs that support affordable housing.

“SAFE is happy to be working with The Gathering Inn once again to help provide immediate assistance to those living in the communities we serve,” says SAFE Credit Union Community Impact Manager Lauren LeBov. “SAFE has been rooted in the Granite Bay and West Roseville communities and throughout Placer County for several years. We are continually seeking meaningful ways to directly support our neighbors.”

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SAFE Credit Union Community Impact Manager Lauren LeBov

The Gathering Inn serves unsheltered residents of Placer County and the Sacramento region, providing shelter and comprehensive support services that help guests move toward sustainable housing. In 2024 alone, the organization served more than 922 guests and provided 84,304 sheltered nights.

“Collection drives like this mean so much to The Gathering Inn and to the individuals and families we serve,” Adams says. “We’re incredibly grateful to SAFE Credit Union for rallying the community in support of our guests. Beyond meeting everyday needs, this drive reminds our guests that a caring community believes in them and stands beside them on their journey toward stability and sustainable housing.” 

For more information email [email protected].


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Guests gather in support of The Gathering Inn with Donation Coordinator Kimberly Heaberlin.

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About SAFE

SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading financial institution in Northern California with $4.3 billion in assets and about 244,000 members. SAFE crafts every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking services conveniently available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person services for members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region. SAFE is a not-for-profit, state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda counties. Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org

About The Gathering Inn

Since 2004, The Gathering Inn has compassionately reached out to countless individuals experiencing homelessness aiming to welcome new beginnings and transform lives. Originally, as a winter-only shelter, 40 individuals were served each night. Today, The Gathering Inn is a multifaceted organization with multiple locations that serves nearly 500 individuals and families every day. The Gathering Inn distinguishes itself as a family of services that serves unsheltered residents of Placer County and the Sacramento region. Successful program outcomes are made possible through the generosity of donors, local government and healthcare partnerships and the involvement of over 30 churches and community organizations who daily provide meals, a safe place to sleep and the assurance that every guest is valued.