CLEVELAND — A local organization is providing basic necessities when needed. Walls of Love is a non-profit organization that gives people the opportunity to contribute one wall at a time.

“It’s my mission to be able to bring things into communities where someone maybe can’t have access to a regular brick and mortar,” said Holly Jackson, the creator of Walls of Love.

Jackson says it was her own personal trials that inspired her to start the organization in 2018.

“I am a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, and I was seven months pregnant and needed help. I made a little over $7 and couldn’t get help. And having to ask for help and not being able to get it is very intimidating. And then for people to judge you and not know the story or the reason why what’s happening to you isn’t helpful, and I don’t want people to have to feel that way again,” Jackson said.

In six years, Jackson was able to donate 1.1 million items to different communities in 34 different states. They offer hygiene products, warm clothing, children’s supplies and blankets. Volunteers place most items in plastic bags and hang them outside on walls in different locations for free.

“We always look for areas that are known to have many unhoused and homeless people, but we don’t just deal with the homeless. Although that was originally our intention, we have now expanded to help veterans, schools, families and we are accepting referrals,” Jackson said.

Jackson says she hopes to expand from 34 states to all 50 states by 2026, making a difference one wall at a time.

“Sometimes people say to us, ‘How do you know it’s going to the right people?’ How do you know people who need it are getting it? One of the particularities of our mission is to respond to needs when needed and not to judge people. So if you say you need it, then you need it,” Jackson said.

Anyone can donate to Walls of Love through their website. CLICK HERE make a donation.