FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 01/09/2009) As the Mid-South battles the frigid temperatures with lows in the single digits the efforts to reach out to the homeless continues. The city and county have implemented several new programs to help those who need a place to keep warm during these dangerously cold days. Citizens also did their part to help this weekend.
It's not the light dusting of snow that concerns the Midsouth. It's the extremely cold temperatures that are proving dangerous. That's why Terri Walker wants to put one these in as many hands as she can. She and the organization, Hope for the Holiday, collected 470 sleeping bags to distribute to the homeless.
"We went down and helped at the convention center serve the dinner (Thanksgiving) and we just saw a need," said Terri Walker, organizer.
For those who heard about the sleeping bags, they were a God send. Charlyssia Martin and her boyfriend, James Baker came as soon as they found out the donated bags were being given away at Auto Zone Park.
"I'm still trying to get the feeling back in my feet," said a shivering Baker.
He added, "I'm sleeping in a tent. I ain't going to say where I'm sleeping in a tent. That's neither here nor there because out of sight out of mind, but it's cold."
His girlfriend, Charylissia said, "The sleeping bags are real important to not only me, it's just people who are out here on the streets who are homeless. And, ya'll go home to your warm houses at night. Think about the people that are on the streets that once owned homes that don't have houses now."
The city and county put up 2 warming tents for those who can't find shelter. They also restored utilities to those cut off. City councilman Ed Ford, Jr. says other things are in the works but these donated sleeping bags couldn't have arrived at a better time. He helped distribute them.
"I mean, single digit temperatures. Wind chill in the negative. We wanted to make sure that the homeless were taken care of," said Ford, Jr.
The kindness of those who donated the sleeping bags was appreciated.
"I'm doing my best to stay warm. I got like 4 blankets, you know. Now, with the sleeping bags it should help some more," said Baker.
Martin said, "It's just nice to know that it's somebody out here that do care."
First Assembly God Church in Monticello, Arkansas heard about the sleeping bag donations and brought over more than a 150 of them in a trailer. If you would like to donate a new sleeping bag, you can drop it off at any Outdoor, Inc. in Memphis or Jackson, TN. They'll be collecting them until the middle of February.
- 470 sleeping bags collected for homeless
- Collecting sleeping bags at Outdoor, Inc. Stores in Memphis and Jackson, TN
- Donations accepted through mid-February
(Memphis 01/09/2009) As the Mid-South battles the frigid temperatures with lows in the single digits the efforts to reach out to the homeless continues. The city and county have implemented several new programs to help those who need a place to keep warm during these dangerously cold days. Citizens also did their part to help this weekend.
It's not the light dusting of snow that concerns the Midsouth. It's the extremely cold temperatures that are proving dangerous. That's why Terri Walker wants to put one these in as many hands as she can. She and the organization, Hope for the Holiday, collected 470 sleeping bags to distribute to the homeless.
"We went down and helped at the convention center serve the dinner (Thanksgiving) and we just saw a need," said Terri Walker, organizer.
For those who heard about the sleeping bags, they were a God send. Charlyssia Martin and her boyfriend, James Baker came as soon as they found out the donated bags were being given away at Auto Zone Park.
"I'm still trying to get the feeling back in my feet," said a shivering Baker.
He added, "I'm sleeping in a tent. I ain't going to say where I'm sleeping in a tent. That's neither here nor there because out of sight out of mind, but it's cold."
His girlfriend, Charylissia said, "The sleeping bags are real important to not only me, it's just people who are out here on the streets who are homeless. And, ya'll go home to your warm houses at night. Think about the people that are on the streets that once owned homes that don't have houses now."
The city and county put up 2 warming tents for those who can't find shelter. They also restored utilities to those cut off. City councilman Ed Ford, Jr. says other things are in the works but these donated sleeping bags couldn't have arrived at a better time. He helped distribute them.
"I mean, single digit temperatures. Wind chill in the negative. We wanted to make sure that the homeless were taken care of," said Ford, Jr.
The kindness of those who donated the sleeping bags was appreciated.
"I'm doing my best to stay warm. I got like 4 blankets, you know. Now, with the sleeping bags it should help some more," said Baker.
Martin said, "It's just nice to know that it's somebody out here that do care."
First Assembly God Church in Monticello, Arkansas heard about the sleeping bag donations and brought over more than a 150 of them in a trailer. If you would like to donate a new sleeping bag, you can drop it off at any Outdoor, Inc. in Memphis or Jackson, TN. They'll be collecting them until the middle of February.
