Box Dweller Challenge
Friday, June 27, 2025 | 1 – 9 PM | University Church of Christ
Step Inside Their Story- Become a Box Dweller
What does it feel like to sleep outside with nothing but a cardboard box and your determination to make a difference?
That’s the question our Box Dwellers answer every year—not with words, but with action. These brave individuals represent all walks of life—students, pastors, business leaders, retirees, local heroes, and everyday neighbors who care deeply about ending homelessness in Calloway County.
This year, you don’t have to stay all day to make a big impact. Choose your challenge:
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4 hours
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6 hours
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Or go the full 8
No matter your shift, your presence helps bring the invisible struggle of homelessness into the light.
Want to do even more? Join the Adult, Youth, or Team/Business Division and rally your network to raise funds. The more you commit, the more you’ll receive—custom HOPE Calloway swag, raffle entries, and community recognition.
Whether you’re in it for the full 8 or just a few hours, your voice—and your box—makes a difference.
How to Join the Movement
You don’t have to be fearless. You just have to be willing.
Becoming a Box Dweller means stepping into someone else’s shoes—just for a few hours—to shine a light on what too many in our community face every day. It’s not just about fundraising (although that’s part of it!). It’s about standing in the gap.
Here’s how to get started:
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Sign up as a Box Dweller (solo or with a team!)
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Pick your Division: Youth, Adult, or Team/Business
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Choose your Shift: 4, 6, or 8 hours
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Set your goal – then share your page and invite others to support your cause
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Show up on event day ready to raise awareness and inspire hope!
Want to go big? Teams and businesses can set up a booth at the event to interact with the community, offer giveaways, and keep the momentum going all night.
Because when we come together—even in cardboard boxes—we create something stronger than shelter. We build a movement.
How You Can Be Part of the Movement
You don’t have to sleep in a box to take a stand against homelessness—there are so many ways to get involved in this year’s Box Dweller Challenge!
Whether you’re cheering on a friend, supporting a local business team, or just curious about the cause, your involvement matters. Here’s how you can show up and make a difference:
1. Support a Box Dweller
Know someone participating? Visit their personal fundraising page and make a donation to their campaign. Every dollar raised helps provide shelter, support, and second chances for individuals in our community facing housing insecurity.
Don’t know a Box Dweller personally? No problem. You can still donate to the general campaign—or we’ll match your gift with a Box Dweller who could use a boost!
2. Visit the Event (June 27, 5–9 PM)
The public portion of the event kicks off at 5:00 PM, and you’re invited to come experience the impact firsthand! Here’s what you can expect:
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Meet and hear from our Box Dwellers
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Enjoy free popcorn from CFSB and free ice cream from The Murray Bank
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Grab dinner from a local food truck
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Fill up your punch card for a chance to win big in our raffle
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Stop by the HOPE Calloway booth to learn more about the mission and ways to give back
3. Join the 8:30 PM Closing Challenge
As the night winds down, we’ll gather for a powerful closing moment featuring:
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Awards for top Box Dwellers in each division
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A message of hope from a special guest speaker
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A final challenge to our community to help us continue the fight against chronic homelessness
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Click the button below to support a Box Dweller, adopt a story, or make a one-time gift. You’ll be directed to our GiveButter fundraising platform where you can choose how you’d like to make an impact.
Let’s show up for our neighbors—and let them know they’re not forgotten. Your voice, your visit, your gift… it all adds up to real change.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the box dweller challenge?
- What’s new this year?
- Do I have to stay in a box for 8 hours?
- Do I need to bring my own box?
- How do I become a Box Dweller?
- How much money am I expected to raise?
- What if I’m not able to raise the full amount?
- How can I help raise awareness about the event?
- What am I allowed to bring?
- Can kids participate?
- What happens during the event?
- Can I continue fundraising during the event?
- What happens if it rains?
- Where does the money go?
The Box Dweller Challenge is HOPE Calloway’s annual awareness and fundraising event that invites people to step into the reality of homelessness by spending time in a cardboard box. It’s a powerful way to stand in solidarity with those experiencing housing insecurity—while raising critical funds to support HOPE Calloway’s mission.
Glad you asked! We’ve added:
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Flexible shift times (4, 6, or 8 hours)
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Youth and Team Divisions
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Booths for Business Teams to share about their work and offer giveaways
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Food trucks for dinner during the public event (5–9 PM)
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Free popcorn and ice cream courtesy of local sponsors
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A raffle with big prizes for attendees who fill their punch cards by visiting Box Dwellers
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An inspiring Closing Ceremony at 8:30 PM with awards and a community challenge
Not anymore! This year, we’ve made it more flexible for participants. You can choose to participate for 4, 6, or 8 hours.
All Box Dwellers are expected to attend the main event time from 5:00–9:00 PM, regardless of which shift you choose. The event takes place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at University Church of Christ.
All Box Dwellers receive a commemorative event t-shirt.
Those who participate for longer shifts may receive additional HOPE Calloway swag, raffle entries, or even special recognition during the closing event. Stay tuned—we’ll announce the prize levels soon!
This year, we are asking Box Dwellers to bring their own box. Remember, the box needs to be BIG enough for a person to crawl inside. If you can’t bring your own box, we will provide one for you. We ask that you let us know by Friday, April 7 if you need us to provide a box for you.
It’s simple:
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Sign up for the Youth, Adult, or Team/Business division.
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Choose your time commitment (4, 6, or 8 hours).
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Set your fundraising goal.
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Spread the word and raise support!
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Show up ready to make an impact.
You’ll also be invited to a Box Dweller Kickoff Meeting before the event with helpful tips and tools to get you started.
We encourage Box Dwellers to aim for the following:
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Youth Division (Ages 17 & Under): $500
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Adult Division: $1,000
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Team/Business Division: $1,500
📌 These are goals, not requirements. We encourage every Box Dweller to do their best—but no one is “on the hook” for any amount not raised.
Have no fear! It is much easier to raise than you might think. We equip you with all the fundraising tools you need, which allows you to share the cause with your friends and family. We’re also introducing Box Dweller Coaches this year who will be right alongside you to help you reach your goal!
However, if for some reason you are not able to raise all of the funds, that’s okay. We are thankful for your involvement and any amount of money you are able to raise.
Like, Share, and Comment! Share everything we post on social media about the fundraiser to your friends and followers. Also, plan to bring your phone on the night of the event. We encourage you to share pictures and livestream your experience as a box dweller!
We will provide you with a food bag and plenty of water during the event. You can bring a pillow, blanket and a BOX of course. Don’t forget your phone for social media blasts! Other than that, what do you need really? (I mean, come on… this is about the experience too!)
Anyone under the age of 18 will need to have a permission slip signed by a parent/guardian to participate. Anyone under the age of 13 will need to have a parent or guardian on site during the event in order to participate. Contact us for more details!
Box Dwellers will stay at their box for the entire event. Remember, this about awareness and the experience. Each box dweller will be given a reflection journal they can utilize during the event. We also encourage you to share about your experience on social media and with attendees who will be coming by to visit.
We will provide a donation jar for each box dweller during the event, plus a “text-to-give” number and QR code. You can also continue posting on social media during the event to try to raise more funds. If you registered a business or team, you have the opportunity to have a booth set up near by where you can continue fundraising and share info about your group. You will need someone else from your team to “man the booth” since you’ll be at your box.
Rain or shine—we’re going for it! We’ll provide some cover options and help make the event safe and comfortable. Bring your rain jacket just in case!
All funds raised support HOPE Calloway’s mission to provide transitional housing and support services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Calloway County. Your generosity helps us provide shelter, job coaching, life skills classes, and ongoing care to those who need it most.
