In 2019, Homeward Bound assisted 197 people living on the streets, in cars, under bridges, and in campsites. And in the winter, the potential to freeze to death is a reality for people in need.
Homeward Bound is asking the public to donate winter clothing and new or gently used camping equipment to help save lives.
Items to Donate are:
- Warm sleeping bags
- 3-person tents or bigger
- Heavy-duty waterproof tarps for sleeping
- Hats
- Gloves
- Hand warmers (Hot Hands brand or similar)
The camping gear collected in this drive will go directly to individuals who are homeless and living outside. Drop off bins are located at the Welcome Home Donation Center, 205 Elk Park Drive, Woodfin. You can drop off donations anytime.
There are currently more than 550,000 people experiencing homeless living in the United States, a third of whom have no shelter at all. As temperatures fall across the nation and here locally, warm camping gear can make the difference between life and death for this extremely vulnerable population.
For more information, contact Ashley Campbell at 828-777-1886 or [email protected]. For more information on how to help individuals living outside, visit www.homewardboundwnc.org.