Rising Stars: Meet Rachael Rosenberg

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Rosenberg.

Hi Rachael, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in the Valley and live with my parents, two older sisters, and my dog, Lois. I have always loved Los Angeles.

I’m 17 years old and have always homeschooled. Homeschooling has given me the opportunity to delve deeply into things I’m interested in, especially the issue of homelessness.

Ever since I was younger, I noticed people who were not able to take care of themselves. For many years, beginning when I was a toddler, my family volunteered to sort food at a food pantry. We would always keep extra snacks in the car that we would share when we saw someone who needed them. Then, as I got older, my sisters and I delivered meals to people who were on the streets, especially after Thanksgiving. Over the years, I have also volunteered at interfaith community sandwich-making events that were intended to benefit people who are homeless.

In 2018, as I was preparing for my Bat Mitzvah at Temple Aliyah (now known as Hamakom), I decided that I wanted my community service project to focus on homelessness. After exploring the option of volunteering with an existing organization, I decided that in creating my own project, I could have a bigger impact and actually help many more people. At that point, Bundles of Kindness, a community project to help people who are homeless in Los Angeles, was born! I believe that everyone deserves to have their basic needs met. No one, anywhere, should ever end up homeless. No one deserves to go through that.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Getting donations for Bundles of Kindness has always been very time-consuming. During the peak of COVID-19, it was particularly challenging because we all felt that the world shut down, but the number of people becoming homeless dramatically increased. I have received many generous donations from large companies, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals, BUT Bundles of Kindness’ mission is to maintain its work to be able to consistently assemble care packages on an ongoing basis. This is a big task. I am always in need of donations. I hope people reading this article will help me help people who are homeless by making a donation through the Bundles of Kindness Amazon Wish List:

Amazon Wish List:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2J83INJ6A5L44?ref_=wl_share

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Bundles of Kindness’ mission is to provide substantial care packages to the Los Angeles homeless community. These packages are delivered through the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, food pantries, shelters, teen drop-in centers, safe parking programs, mobile showers, and directly to people who are living on the streets of LA. Care packages typically include: blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, hand warmers, t-shirts, socks, underwear, flip flops, toiletries, facial wipes, dental hygiene products, menstrual products, sunscreen, individually wrapped shelf stable food, water, juice, umbrellas, and information about community resources. Additionally, pet supplies, jackets, sweatshirts, and shoes are made available. Additionally, Bundles of Kindness share information with the homeless community through social media. Information about free groceries, mobile showers, dental care, mammograms, and vet services are shared for the hundreds of followers who are homeless.

Here is a link to some previous media coverage:

Teen partners with local Starbucks to help the homeless

https://abc7.com/abc7-cool-kid-rachael-rosenberg-bundles-of-kindness/5390048/

Bundles of Kindness is overseen by Hamakon, which is a 501 (c)(3) organization.

To date, Bundles of Kindness has assembled over 1,200 care packages. Here are some stories about some of the people I have met through Bundles of Kindness:

I met Juan in Beverly Hills and gave him a Bundle. He took the time to make sure I knew how much he appreciated the jacket, shoes, and tote bag of necessities. Juan shared his story with me. He told me that he’s been homeless for two years. He had a steady job until his boss passed away. Shortly afterward, he hurt himself and is now unable to work. Juan is determined to not let his current situation pull him down. Luckily, he is at the top of the waiting list for housing.

When I was delivering some bundles a couple of years ago, I met a guy who was sitting on a bench and he said that earlier that day he fell asleep on a patch of grass and he was abruptly woken up by the sprinklers. (This was towards the beginning of the year, so it was cooler.) As soon as I handed him a bundle, he reached in to grab a small cup of peanut butter and ate it immediately while he was shivering. Right as he finished the peanut butter, he told me that his hands were freezing. He took the socks that were inside of the bag and wore them like mittens. He then started to cry. (Because of this experience, I added gloves to my care packages.)

While delivering some bundles in Calabasas, I saw a man holding a sign at a highway exit. He told me that he used to go to Shomrei Torah Synagogue for chess club, and he befriended a congregant. They would often have lunch at a restaurant after they had played a few games.

I met a woman another time as I was driving around to deliver some more bundles. She was living in a tent during the day and sleeping at a motel for the night. She was pregnant, and she had three kids who stayed with her mom. She especially appreciated hygiene products, fresh oranges, and hand sanitizer.

Another encounter I had was with a mother and daughter who were living in their car because their husband/father died, and they didn’t have a steady income. I gave them shoes, freshly picked oranges, water, and socks.

These stories and experiences are some of the biggest reasons I created Bundles of Kindness.

Bundles of Kindness gives voices to people who don’t have the ability to use their own.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
One of the nicest surprises I have experienced through Bundles of Kindness was being honored by State Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel as the 2021 Youth Activist/Leader of the Year. Here is an article covering the award: https://patch.com/california/calabasas/san-fernando-valley-teen-named-youth-activist-year

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bundlesofkindness/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BundlesofkindnessLA/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-rosenberg-5779281a9/

Image Credits
Orange shirt + Bundle alone: Benjamin Hanson At the podium: Stephanie Klienman – SDK Photo Design Others: Provided by Bundles of Kindness