Goal Set By Sean’s Outpost Founder to Raise 1,000 Bitcoins

Poverty has been among one of the most problematic factors within the United States today. An absolute end to homelessness may never be possible, but with the help of bitcoin, that dream is one step closer.

Sean’s Outpost, a homeless outreach center based in Pensacola, Florida, began accepting bitcoin donations back in March 2013, introduced by founder Jason King. King announced:

“We served 30,000 meals in 2013 and we were able to make a downpayment and pay off the first year’s mortgage for Satoshi’s Forest, our nine-acre homeless sanctuary. We got a lot done in 2013 for a new charity.”

According to King, the organization has collected over 200 BTC from donations. King looks to contribute to bitcoin by running 5,172 km, from Miami to San Francisco in order to raise awareness for both homelessness and bitcoin

“It’s basically running a marathon a day, every day, for four months.”

King is no stranger to long-distance running. Though this would be his longest run yet, King says he has ran “several hundred” kilometers before. He will begin his journey from the North American Bitcoin Conference in Miami on January 26th, and meet at the starting line from there. King will then reach Austin 2,166 km later, equivalent to a 19-hour drive, to speak at the Texas Bitcoin Conference  on March 6th.

King added that there is no set finish line, but he will end his run in one of the many bitcoin spots in San Francisco.

The run would lead King to a 4 month absence from Sean’s Outpost charity, however, his dedicated team of 5 staff members and 10 volunteers will keep everything fully operational. Regardless, King will not be completely out of the picture, as he will continue to tend to his emails.

King’s goal of achieving 1,000 BTC in donations to aid the homeless is the fuel that will keep him moving.

“I know it’s a lot to

expect in four months,

but homelessness is a big problem.”

Of the 461,000 people in Pensacola, Sean’s Outpost works with more than 400 homeless people, many of whom have taken an interest to the bitcoin currency.

“We have guys who got really into bitcoin. They’re on reddit and forums all the time. We have guys who got off the street because of bitcoin.”

Of the 200 BTC raised in 2013, King says that his charity has 30 BTC left over, which will be held onto and used for investments.

His organization was named after his best friend, Sean Dugas, who was a victim of murder in 2012.

King’s goal on a larger spectrum is to raise awareness for his cause and generate more donations, as well as open up more Sean’s Outpost organizations in other cities. Although he doesn’t look for attention from the media, the activist realizes that the media is a great way to increase awareness for his donation center.

“[The media attention] has been a little awkward, because I like to focus on the work I do. But I’m asking people all over the world to believe in what we’re doing, so communicating back is an important part of the relationship.”

To make donations for Sean’s Outpost, please click here.