Chico Campout for Compassion … One Night. Many Locations. One Community.

On October 31, I sent a press release to local and North State news outlets about something I’ve been working on … Chico Campout for Compassion 2026.

I’m inviting our community to take part on Saturday, November 14, and I’m hoping the conversation can continue well beyond that one night.

Read or download the full press release (PDF)

Chico Campout for Compassion 2026

One Night. Many Locations. One Community.

The idea is simple. Instead of bringing everyone together at one campsite, individuals, families, churches, schools, neighborhood groups, and community organizations can participate wherever they have permission to gather.

Some people might choose to camp out for the night. Others might invite a speaker, show an educational video, host a discussion, share a personal story, or have a conversation with their family at home.

You do not have to camp out to participate.

This is not an attempt to simulate homelessness. One night sleeping outside cannot reproduce the uncertainty, vulnerability, and daily challenges of living without a stable home.

It’s an invitation to look beyond what we see on the streets … to learn about the people behind the statistics, the barriers they face, and the housing problems that too often go unaddressed.

As I said in the press release:

Too often, the conversation about homelessness begins and ends with what people see on the streets. But behind every person experiencing homelessness is a story, and behind those stories are questions we need to be asking about housing, affordability, opportunity, and the way we treat one another. I’m not asking everyone to agree. I’m asking everyone to have a conversation.

November is a month for awareness

Our November 14 gathering also falls during a wider period of public education and awareness.

November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month and is recognized in California as Youth Homelessness Outreach, Prevention, and Education (HOPE) Month. The following week, November 15–21, is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

The Chico Campout is an independent local initiative. We’re drawing on educational resources from these national and state observances, not claiming to be their official partner or sponsor.

You can help without attending an event

One thing I’d especially like to encourage throughout November is support for local food programs.

If you belong to a church, school, workplace, club, or neighborhood group, consider organizing a small food or basic-needs drive. Or volunteer, share a food-access resource, or help in whatever way works for you.

Please check with an existing local organization first to learn what it actually needs and how to deliver donations. There is no central Campout collection or fundraising account.

The Campout is not a fundraiser. It’s an educational awareness event, and neither attendance nor donations are required.

Food and emergency assistance can help people meet immediate needs. But as we talk about hunger and homelessness, let’s not lose sight of the importance of safe, stable, affordable housing.

Let’s have a conversation

You don’t have to share my opinions about homelessness, housing policy, or how the City should respond. That’s not a condition of participation.

I want us to listen, ask better questions, check the facts, and remember that we’re talking about our neighbors.

Chico Campout for Compassion … Saturday, November 14, 2026.
One Night. Many Locations. One Community.