Our nonprofit organization is committed to improving the lives of homeless individuals by providing them with safe and stable housing, along with the resources and support necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. We strive to empower these individuals to become productive members of society, and to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to flourish. Our mission is driven by the belief that every person deserves a chance to live with dignity, and that by working together, we can create lasting change and make a positive impact on our world.The Karma Box Team is on a mission to help people get off the streets and back to a better life.
In 2018, Grant Denton founded the innovative Karma Box Project that installed 60 donation boxes across Northern Nevada. People place nonperishable foods, hygiene products, and other items in the boxes, and folks remove what they need. The boxes are painted, built, and placed by local artists or members of the community.
More recently the non-profit has grown from initiating a workforce program for the unsheltered called the River Stewards, geared towards cleaning trash off the Truckee, to running a homeless outreach team on the streets. The Karma Box Project also has helped to create and operate Nevada's first sanctioned safe camp community, as well as a transitional housing, and a re-entry program.
Safe Camp
When Washoe County and city governments acquired the Governor’s Bowl Park in 2021, a temporary campsite was established there. To provide warmer—and more secure—shelters, Washoe County purchased 50 modular “pods,” or “mod pods,” small one-room structures with a bed, heating and air conditioning, electricity, lights, and, most importantly, a door with a lock. Karma Box Project, as well as other organizers, are working to get them to make further moves to self-sufficiency. A referral from partner agencies is required for those seeking to live at Safe Camp. Occupants must agree to work with a county case worker to create a path to permanent housing.
River Stewards & Street Keepers
The Karma Box Project leads two programs that bring two to four homeless volunteers per day, recruited from a shelter or off the streets, into the community on supervised work assignments.
River Stewards clean up trash along the Truckee River.
Street Keepers do cleanup work at abandoned camps in the city and along the railroad tracks.
The workers receive cash gift cards at the end of their day. This gives participants an opportunity to earn basic needs items while at the same time giving them an active role in improving the community.
Karma Krib
A new hybrid program, in partnership with the Veterans Guest House of Reno, is called Karma Krib but is officially named Healthy Home by the Guest House. The house provides a home and basic services tailored to people who are just out of a “mod pod” and ready for the next phase of their lives.
Residents must clean up after themselves, fix their own meals, and complete chores. The pilot program is not a “forever home,” but a temporary step to becoming self-sufficient. Rent is not charged until the resident has acquired gainful employment.
On average residents are able to save up and move into their new home in under six months.
G.R.I.T.
The G.R.I.T. program helps men and women currently in recovery from substance use and/or mental health disorders develop healthy habits and skills necessary to reintegrate back into the community, through exercise, goal setting, and volunteering.
Called G.R.I.T. for Grow, Refine, Integrate, and Thrive, the program will transport participants weekly to G.R.I.T.’s partner gym and wellness centers, recreation activities, and a day of volunteer work. The G.R.I.T. program is also open to anyone in the community in recovery.
Get Involved!
Stock Karma Boxes: Summer — Water, sunscreen, lip balm, socks, sun hats.
Stock Karma Boxes: Winter — Knit wool caps, gloves, socks, space blankets, or light blankets rolled up to preserve space in the box.
Stock Karma Boxes: All seasons — One-use hygiene items like toothbrushes/small tubes of toothpaste (no large bottles or multi-item packs), tampons, nonperishable foods (preferably in pop-top containers), individual snacks, protein bars, and ramen. Please break apart and package items individually.
Not advised in Karma Boxes: Money, books, mini-bottles of alcohol, large bottles or cans, and packages of many pairs of socks (roll up each pair of socks to preserve space). Books belong in Little Free Library boxes rather than Karma Boxes.
