Volunteers, donations needed for homeless

by Herald Staff Writer & Steven Wyble
| January 12, 2012 5:00 AM

MOSES LAKE - Grant Integrated Services and the Housing Authority of Grant County are gearing up to measure Grant County's homeless population, and they need help.

An information and training meeting for the Point in Time Homeless Count starts at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Grant Integrated Services, 840 E Plum St., in Moses Lake.

People are asked to call Steffanie Bonwell at 509-762-5541 ext. 126 or email her at sbonwell@hagc.net to register.

Volunteers are needed to conduct the county-wide homeless count on Jan. 26. Volunteer teams will travel to one of 13 designated locations throughout the county to conduct surveys with homeless individuals and families.

Volunteers collect basic demographic information, such as age, sex, and where the person slept the previous night, said Suzi Fode, program director of New Hope Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services. Volunteers do not collect any identifying information, she added.

The homeless count is mandated by the federal government and helps determine federal funding and helps the county meet the needs of the homeless, said Fode. Last year, volunteers counted more than 400 homeless people throughout Grant County, she said.

"Because we get volunteers to help with the count, it just increases awareness to our community that there's a homeless issue in Grant County," she said.

The volunteers also hand out donations to homeless people on the day of the count. Grant Integrated Services seeks donations, including blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothing, bottled water and ready-to-eat food such as granola bars.

The donations add up to make a difference, said Fode. Last year, a church donated around 25 sleeping bags.

"That was an incredible gift and incentive to give someone that's homeless," she said.

Donations are accepted at Grant Integrated Services on Jan. 25 from 1-4 p.m.

"The more the merrier. We need lots of volunteers," said Fode. "It's a really rewarding experience, it is. It's humbling and rewarding. So for those looking to serve, it's great."