With the rainy season upon us and more individuals homeless in Lehigh Acres, the Salvation Army is seeking the community’s help.

The homeless population, which was very large, is growing larger.

“A lot have moved out this way from Fort Myers because so many places in Fort Myers that have had camps have closed down. A lot of those folks have moved out this way,” Major Brenda Lane said. “So far I don’t know any of our camps being shut down. There are multiple camps throughout Lehigh.”

Lane said right now they are seeing a lot of requests for ponchos, tents, plastic table cloths to put on the ground and raincoats/windbreakers.

“Just general things you would think of that would be needed for the rainy season,” she said.

The Salvation Army has given out some tarps, but is in a dire need of more.

“This time of year we usually start getting the same requests,” Lane said, especially with the kind of rain Southwest Florida has recently experienced.

Although some ask for umbrellas, the requests lean more towards ponchos so hands are free to hold other things.

Items can be dropped off at the Lehigh Acres Outreach Center, 25 Homestead Rd. N. from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“They can come by anytime during the week and drop things off,” Lane said.

Individuals can also purchase items online through Walmart (https://bit.ly/3P5dAzO) and Amazon (https://amzn.to/37mc9vS) Registry for Good.

“We have set up an agreement and account. You can order straight from them and they can deliver it straight to us,” she said.

Monetary donations are also accepted by calling (239) 278-1551.

In addition, the Salvation Army is seeking bottled water, as supplies ran out, as well as snack foods that do not need refrigeration and pop top canned goods.

“There is always a need for canned goods and nonperishable items that we can use in the pantry for our emergency food distribution. We do emergency food, people come in needing food right away,” Lane said. “We are low on that as well.”