Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley welcomed the community to raise money in support of the homeless, by experiencing a night of homelessness themselves Saturday.

Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley “brings shelter, meals, and support services to families without homes, helping them to get back on their feet,” according to the organization’s website.

The group hosted its seventh annual Box City event at Valencia Heritage Park to help raise funds and awareness for the homeless community.

“I think it was the best year yet, there was a lot of excitement at the event, a lot of people came out to show their support,” said Chris Najarro, Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley executive director. “I think it was a very successful event all around.”

This year, Box City saw around 350 participants who signed up to help raise money by spending the night in a cardboard box inside of “Box City,” which featured live entertainment, raffles and a modest “shelter-style” meal.

Participants were asked to leave behind all unnecessary electronics and consumer goods and to only bring a cardboard box, sleeping bags or a sleeping pad, some warm clothes and a refillable water bottle in order experience what it is like to sleep on the streets.

This year, Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley was able to raise $85,000 through sponsorships, registration and private donors to help support our local homeless communities.