With the 2018 Nanaimo Point-in Time Homeless Count on April 18, organizers seek items for care kits and volunteers to assist with the event.
According to a press release, organizers need volunteers to manage surveys, help at the community event and attend a one-and-a-half-hour training session beforehand. Sessions will be held Wednesday, April 11, at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church (301 Machleary St.) and April 14 at the John Howard Society (200-1585 Bowen Rd.).
New hats, socks, underwear, shampoo, conditioner, razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper and laundry detergent are sought for the kits, as well as new or used mittens, gloves, rain jackets, water bottles, travel mugs, reading glasses, memory sticks, sewing kits and clean blankets and towels.
Organizers also seek tents, tarps, sleeping bags, backpacks, duct tape, twine, first aid items, flashlights and batteries that are in good condition.
If you wish to volunteer, call Andrew Thornton at 250-755-9979 or e-mail pit@johnhowardnanaimo.org.
Those donating items may do so at the John Howard Society between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays until April 17.
The event takes place all day on April 18 with the main event at St. Peter’s.
The society, along with the Nanaimo Homeless Coalition and United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island, are organizing the event.