At just 16 years old Michael Tengler started a non-profit, Happycheeks, aimed to help the unhoused. Since starting in 2020, Happycheeks has now donated over 24,000 pairs of socks and underwear with the help of the community.
Tonight we were joined by Michael Tengler, the founder of Happycheeks, a non-profit he created when he was a Junior at Grosse Pointe South. He started the Happycheeks when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, making peanut butter sandwiches for homeless persons. Soon this movement spread to the community, calling for Michael’s house to have a constant flow of sandwiches delivered daily.
As the coolers full of sandwiches kept growing, Michael decided to grow the donations to socks and underwear. Socks and underwear are the most requested items by homeless shelters, but are the least donated. When he opened the donations to these items he set a goal of 10,000 pairs, this goal was exceedingly met after local news publications got wind of the non-profit.
Michael started Happycheeks when he was 16 years old, now he is an incoming Junior at University of Michigan, studying business. He passed down the duties to another Grosse Pointe South student, Mikayla Smolen. Since the founding of Happycheeks over 24,000 pairs of socks and underwear have been donated.
Donate to Happycheeks at happycheeks.org