VIRGINIA BEACH – Winter is coming and the almost 350 known homeless residents in the city could use some items to stay warm this year.
Through the Give the Gift of Warmth Donation Drive, items such as gently-used coats, sweatpants and shirts, adult size socks, hats, beanies, scarves and twin-size blankets will be distributed to those in need. Clothing items should be sized medium through XXL.
Hand warmers and travel-size hygiene products are also needed.
A donation drive is being held to collect winter clothing for adults experiencing homelessness. Needed items include new and gently-used coats, sweatpants/shirts (adult sizes medium – XXL), adult size socks, hats/beanies and scarves, and twin size blankets. Hand warmers and travel size hygiene items are also needed.
In recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission, Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation and the BEACH Community Partnership are taking donations of winter clothing items through Dec. 8 at the following locations:
- Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, located at 1053 Virginia Beach Blvd.
- Bow Creek Recreation Center, located at 3427 Club House Road
- Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office, located at 2501 James Madison Blvd.
- Virginia Beach Police Department – Third Precinct, located at 926 Independence Blvd.
- Virginia Beach Police Department – Fourth Precinct, located at 840 Kempsville Road
For more information about the donation drive, contact Pam Shine at 757-385-5761 or Kathy Hinson at 757-385-1158.
Volunteers aged 18 or older are also needed for the city’s annual Point-in-Time Count of the homeless population.
This year’s count will take place on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 3 to 8 a.m. Volunteers will be part of a team assigned to one of the four police precincts in Virginia Beach to help count and administer a survey to people experiencing homelessness.
During a count earlier this year, 349 people were found to be experiencing homelessness in the city.
For more information about volunteering for the Point-in-Time Count, contact Diane Hotaling at 757-385-1278. Volunteers can register online by Jan. 12, 2018.
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