Lee County Government and its partners are asking the community to donate cold weather supplies for Severe Weather Outreach Teams to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Blankets, gloves, scarves, hats, socks and hand-warmers can be dropped off at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Outreach Center, 23140 Fashion Drive, Unit #111, Coconut Point Shopping Center, between January 30 and February 3.
Severe Weather Outreach Teams are mobilized to specific locations when inland temperatures are projected to drop to 40 degrees or lower for an extended period of time. Teams include Human & Veteran Services staff and members of the HOT Team (Housing, Outreach and Treatment), including law enforcement and Centerstone Behavioral Health. Teams provide cold weather items, coffee and access to transportation to enter into one of the participating shelters.
The Human & Veteran Services’ coordinated entry phone line will be updated as needed with a cold-weather announcement that promotes outreach locations, transportation assistance, sheltering and supplies. The number is 239-533-7996.
When cold weather occurs, the county has identified several designated outreach locations on or near LeeTran routes where volunteers and staff will distribute blankets, hand-warmers, socks, hot coffee and assist with transportation if a person experiencing homelessness accepts a sheltering offer.