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Community can help individuals experiencing homelessness by donating cold-weather supplies

By Staff | Jan 30, 2023

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 following locations between Jan. 30 and Feb. 3:

• Cape Coral Police Department, 1100 Cultural Park Blvd., accepting items 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• Fort Myers Police Department, 2210 Widman Way, Fort Myers, accepting items 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Some Lee County Sheriff’s Office Outreach Centers. For more information, contact the Community Response Unit at 239-477-1CRU (1278) or visit sheriffleefl.org

— Edison Mall, 4125 Cleveland Ave., Suite 1930

— Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Unit 190

— Downtown Fort Myers, 2125 First St., Suite 100

— Coconut Point Shopping Center, 23106 Fashion Drive, Estero

Note: At this time, Lee County libraries and recreation centers are not accepting donations.

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 and 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.

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