By Elizabeth Aguilera, Staff Writer
Monday, January 3, 2011 at 12:49 p.m.
SAN DIEGO — What started over wine with a mission to distribute winter survival backpacks to the homeless four years ago has evolved into an organization working to empower those on the street. Girls Think Tank, a grass-roots advocacy group, successfully worked last year to convince city officials to set aside $700,000 for four public toilets for the homeless. The toilets are slated to go up next fall. The successful campaign for the relatively young nonprofit along with the popularity of its signature winter survival backpacks, given to the homeless complete with blankets and hygienic products, has GTT leaders looking forward. “With time, I would like to see us opening a community center that would be a space for people on the streets to collaborate and get needed resources,” said Rachel Jensen, co-founder and president of GTT.