In January, Real Change from Spare Change, an initiative of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership that supports community efforts to address homelessness, sponsored the Come Out of the Cold! Donation Drive. The response was tremendous! Neighborhoods, offices, churches, families, civic groups, UNC departments, and numerous individuals throughout Orange County answered the call and donated much more than we ever expected! In total we collected 143 blankets and sleeping bags, 133 jackets, 79 toiletry kits and almost 250 hats/scarves/gloves.
Housing for New Hope Street outreach workers distributed items immediately to unsheltered homeless individuals. Items were given out during the Point in Time Count throughout Orange County by law enforcement officers and service providers. And many people living in transitional housing and supportive housing received donated items through Neighbor House of Hillsborough, Maggie Alvis Halfway House, Sunrise Casaworks Residential Program, and Cross Disability Services.
The wonderful outpouring of donations for this drive reflects the shining generosity of our entire community. Thank you so much to everyone that contributed to this drive and took time to help those in need!
MEG MCGURK
Assistant director, Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership