Blankets distributed for the unhoused

In Downtown Gulfport, Back Bay Mission and Climb CDC distributed blankets this morning.

The two non-profits partnered to give warmth to the unhoused for the upcoming winter.

The drive was coordinated by Carissa Corbett of Climb CDC, who saw the need after a few patrons requested warm garments during cold temperatures.

In total, more than 70 blankets and 130 COVID tests were passed out to those experiencing homelessness.

Corbett advises citizens to not overlook the unhoused during the winter months as they seek shelter.

“We don’t have anything to keep them warm, you know, they’re looking for blankets, socks and gloves and stuff like that. And we didn’t have that. So I was like, can we get a blanket drive on out and I can reach out to different people in the community. And it was like absolutely,” said Corbett. “People don’t realize we are all one or two checks away from being homeless, and, you know, they are so overlooked and I don’t think it’s fair. ”

According to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, a total of 700 people at risk or experiencing homelessness are killed from hypothermia each year in the U.S.