From staff reports

CHAPEL HILL -- With frigid temperatures still plummeting to below freezing at night, an effort is being mobilized to help homeless people stay warm.

Come Out of the Cold is a donation drive to collect much needed items to help homeless individuals keep warm. Items will be distributed by Orange County street outreach workers and during the annual "Point in Time Count."

The count is a one-night tally of homeless individuals that is required for federal funding assistance. Service providers count the number of homeless people in the emergency shelters and transitional housing, as well as those unsheltered in homeless camps and other places throughout the community. This is also an opportunity for service providers to offer help.

A list of items organizers are seeking to be donated includes:

- Sleeping bags and blankets

- Winter hats and gloves and scarves

- Winter jackets

- Toiletry kits (Kits may contain soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream, lotion, shampoo, wash cloth -- assembled in a clear, sealed bag.)

-All items may be new or gently used except for toiletries that must be new only. Donated items are needed by Tuesday, Jan. 26. Drop off locations are: Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership office, 308 West Rosemary St. -- call 967-9440 as you pull up and we will meet you at the curb -- and the Volunteers for Youth office at 205 Lloyd St., Suite 103 in Carrboro. If you need items to be picked up, call us to arrange a time.

Questions? Contact Meg McGurk at 967-9440 or meg@downtownchapelhill.com.