the l.o.u. story

We are a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to serving our unsheltered neighbors in Louisville, KY. With a mission rooted in love and compassion, we provide food, supplies, and critical resource guidance to those experiencing homelessness. Every Sunday, with the support of our volunteers, donors, and partner agencies, we deliver over 600 sack lunches, hygiene kits, clothing, and other essentials. Our outreach goes beyond just providing material goods—we aim to build trust, offer advocacy, and support our neighbors with the dignity they deserve, always respecting their privacy.

L.O.U. also conducts special cold-weather services during dangerous temperature drops, when the risks for those on the streets are life-threatening. We load up vehicles with blankets, gloves, sternos, and hand warmers, distributing these life-saving supplies to those who can’t or won’t seek shelter indoors.

We offer guidance, resources, and care management from our office at 1801 Portland Avenue from Monday-Thurday 10 am-3 pm. Call or text us to set up a time to meet. (502) 754-3464 Ext. 3 (Ext not necessary when texting).

At L.O.U., we believe real change happens when the entire community comes together, so we foster relationships with individuals, private groups, and corporations. We invite anyone willing to make a difference to join us in helping Louisville’s most vulnerable.

our board

  • Chris Hoerter

    Board Chair

    “Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.”

    - Rainer Maria Rilke

  • David Smillie

    Executive Director

    “Compassion changes everything. Compassion heals. Compassion mends the broken and restores what has been lost. Compassion draws together those who have been estranged or never even dreamed they were connected. Compassion pulls us out of ourselves and into the heart of another, placing us on Holy ground where we instinctively take off our shoes and walk in reverence. Compassion springs out of vulnerability and triumphs in unity.”

    - J. Cannato

  • Amy Nguyen

    Secretary/Donations Coordinator

    “Fight for the things you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” 

    - Ruth Bader Ginsberg

  • Kiara James

    Board Member

    “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”

    - Unknown

  • BJ Wysoske

    Treasurer

    “If we couldn't laugh, we'd all go insane.”

    - Jimmy Buffett

  • Gloria Mucker

    “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” 

    - Martin Luther King Jr.

FAQs

Have a question that isn’t answered here? Shoot us a message and we’ll be in touch soon!

Learn more

  • If you know someone in need of assistance, you can contact here on our website through our contact page. We will assess the situation and provide whatever immediate help we can, whether it’s delivering supplies, connecting them to shelters, or offering transportation to a safe location.

    • Non-perishable food (canned goods, granola bars, etc.)

    • Bottled water

    • Hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene items)

    • Warm clothing (coats, gloves, hats, socks)

    • Sleeping bags and blankets

    • Tents and tarps

    • Backpacks or duffel bags

    • First aid supplies

  • While L.O.U. does not operate a physical shelter, we work closely with local shelters and housing organizations to help place individuals in temporary or permanent housing. Our team assists with finding available options and providing transportation when needed. Visit our resources page to learn more about nearby shelter options.

  • Yes, financial contributions are one of the most effective ways to support our work. You can donate securely through our donate page, and your funds will go directly to our most pressing needs.

  • We welcome partnerships with local businesses and organizations! Whether it’s through corporate donations, sponsorships, or volunteer efforts, we work together with companies to support Louisville’s unsheltered community. Visit our contact page and submit a form or email social@lououtreach.org to discuss how your organization can get involved.

  • You can follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay informed about upcoming events, donation drives, and the impact we’re making in the community.

View fullsize Today, we want to send a huge thank you to an amazing group of young volunteers who stepped up in a big way to help Louisville Outreach for the Unsheltered. A special thank you to Amy Nguyen and Nicole Feld for coordinating this dedicated team of te
View fullsize Today, a reporter reached out to ask whether we have seen or heard about increased violence toward the unhoused community. Our response was simple: when advocates talk about “vulnerability,” this is exactly what we mean. Vulnerability i
View fullsize 🥵 The heat is here and we need your help! We updated our Amazon Wishlist. Link in bio, please share!
View fullsize @coalitionforhomeless Honored and deeply humbled. At the Coalition for the Homeless annual meeting, I was incredibly honored to receive the Outstanding Outreach Services Award on behalf of Louisville Outreach for the Unsheltered. But the truth is
View fullsize Tonight, something powerful happened. One of our volunteers was out on their usual route when a group of people shared that they hadn’t seen our friend in quite some time. Concerned, they went together to check on him at his camp. What they fo
View fullsize Derby season is here in Louisville. A time our city celebrates, welcomes visitors, and spends millions preparing for the spotlight. But for our unhoused neighbors, this time of year often brings something very different. Increased “cleanups&rd
View fullsize We are incredibly grateful to the Feld Family Lenten Service Party and their 37 amazing helpers for showing up in such a big way for our community 💜 Because of their time, energy, and compassion, they were able to accomplish so much: - 1,800 baby
View fullsize 🌟 Meet Our Sunday Friend: A Story of Resilience 🌟 Every Sunday, we see a friend waiting in the same spot, greeting us with the biggest smile, a hug, and ready for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich we bring him. For over a year, he’s shared
View fullsize A person wearing “Homeless Services” on their back… in a bulletproof vest… with a gun… while people’s only place of living is being torn apart right in front of them. Imagine already having nothing. No stable h
View fullsize Trust isn’t built in a day. It’s built in the showing up. Showing up every single week. Doing what you say you’re going to do. Caring consistently, especially when someone feels like no one else in the world cares. Consistency bui
View fullsize To live not to be noticed, but for your life to be necessary. That’s the heart behind everything we do at LOU. Every day, we meet people in moments of real vulnerability. Not the kind that makes headlines. The kind that happens quietly, a fami
View fullsize As temperatures continue to drop to deadly conditions, it is critical that we continue checking on our unhoused neighbors and anyone spending extended time outside. Signs of FROSTBITE include: ❄️ Cold, numb, or tingling skin ❄️ Skin that turns white

get connected with us.

Stay in touch with L.O.U. on Instagram! We regularly share updates on the help we need, upcoming events, and ways you can get involved. By following us, you’ll be the first to know about donation drives, urgent needs, and our latest efforts to support our neighbors on the streets. Join our community and be part of the change!

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