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Many warming shelters also double as daycares, churches, or other businesses that must reopen during the daytime. That means guests are often forced back outside just as the cold lingers
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Hope on the Horizon<\/a> fills a critical gap for those in need during the day with supplies like food, blankets and clothing
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Counties across the region are preparing for their annual \u201cPoint-in-Time\u201d count<\/a> of people experiencing homelessness. The count will take place Jan. 29 in Pinellas County and Feb. 26 in Hillsborough County<\/p>\n
Many warming shelters also double as daycares, churches, or other businesses that must reopen during the daytime. That means guests are often forced back outside just as the cold lingers.<\/p>\n
Brenda Powell, outreach director for the nonprofit Hope on the Horizon, says the timing can be especially risky.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you watch the temperatures of a cold snap like this, usually the coldest point of the entire night is around 5 a.m. And most of the shelters close their doors, either between 6 a.m., maybe a little later or by 9 a.m.,\u201d Powell said.<\/p>\n
To help bridge the gap, Hope on the Horizon stocks supplies specifically for people experiencing homelessness during severe weather.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome jackets, hoodies, blankets,\u201d Powell said, describing the donations kept on hand.<\/p>\n
The group\u2019s pantry is also stocked with food thanks to community support.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have some more food that we keep frozen in here,\u201d Powell said.<\/p>\n
But delivering those resources is not always easy.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes there\u2019s a camp of ten people together and only one has a phone. So keeping in touch is very difficult,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Powell regularly loads her car with supplies and drives to homeless camps throughout the area. One recent stop was south of Gandy Boulevard, where she greeted people by name.<\/p>\n
Among them was 28-year-old Kaitlyn, who has been living in the woods with her dog for nearly three years.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long have I been out here? I\u2019ve been in the woods for almost three years now,\u201d Kaitlyn said.<\/p>\n
She relies on fire pits and donated blankets to stay warm. Despite the cold and the risk of being trespassed, she says shelters are not an option.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe shelters don\u2019t usually really let you have animals with you. Also, for one or two, a lot of times there\u2019s not any room,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Transportation is another major barrier for many people seeking shelter, according to Powell.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t have bus fare, very possibly. And by the time they get there, if the shelter is already at capacity, they\u2019ll get turned away,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Powell says Hope on the Horizon is often one of the last stops for people with nowhere else to turn.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe clients that we serve are survivors,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The organization is currently seeking donations of food, jackets, blankets and hand warmers as cold conditions continue.<\/p>\n
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