Guilford County, the City of Greensboro, the City of High Point and various community partners are working hard right now to develop a plan to end homelessness in the county.

However, it will be quite some time before that dream becomes a reality. In the meantime, area non-profits such as Gate City 180 are helping the homeless keep warm while the weather is cold.

One way that organization is doing so is by holding the Winter Warmth Giveaway, which will take place from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15 where Gate City 180 staff will be handing out sleeping bags to people who are experiencing hardship.

The organization will also be giving out other items needed that will help the homeless face the cold.

The Giveaway will take place in Center City Park in downtown Greensboro and there will be other ways to help those down on their luck warm up as well.  For instance, at the event, staff from Jake’s Diner will be providing hot soup and chili to those in need.

Gate City 180’s goal is to offer relief to the people it serves and put smiles on their faces.  It often gives out blankets, sleeping bags, toiletries and essential hygiene products to those in need.

Other organizations are helping the needy battle the winter cold as well.  For instance, on Friday, Jan. 6, Fox 8 News kicked off the 36th year of its Give a Kid a Coat campaign with partners such as the Salvation Army of the Carolinas and A Cleaner World.

In the long history of the program, more than 900,000 coats have been collected, cleaned and given out to area children in need.

Through Saturday, Feb. 11, you can drop off any new or gently used coat at A Cleaner World locations.  A Cleaner World will clean, press and perform minor repairs on the coats – which will then be given to The Salvation Army for distribution.

You can check your local Salvation Army for distribution times.

Other companies also help out as well when the weather turns cold.   Duke Energy, for instance, established its Share the Warmth community assistance program in 1985 to help residents in North and South Carolina who need help paying their heating and power bills.

 

 

About