Community Bank Albany Big Sleep Out success as more than $50,000 raised for those affected by homelessness

Albany’s Big Sleep Out has raised more than $50,000 for people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping, despite wild weather on Saturday. The event, sponsored by Community Bank, beat the previous amount of $47,000 raised in 2023 to continue helping people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping arrangements. A total of $51,000 was raised through the efforts of the community this year. Albany Community Foundation’s Sarah Moir said the event was a “huge success” and money raised would go towards the roughly 150 people experiencing homelessness in Albany. “To raise over $50,000 is an amazing outcome for the community, and we know that it will go a long way in supporting people who are facing homelessness at the moment,” she said. “It was pretty wild weather on the night but it didn’t stop people coming down to the evening event, and I think we had around 150 people at the main part of the evening. “There was live music and a Q and A information panel that discussed some of the most prevalent issues surrounding homelessness in Albany, and the way some of the front line agencies are able to support it and facilitate funding to help people who are sleeping roughly.”