INDIANAPOLIS — As temperatures continue to drop, we can't help but think about what's being done to keep those who do not have a place to stay warm.
Horizon House tells WRTV that the demand for homelessness assistance has increased since last year. They said everyone can play a part in keeping those individuals safe this winter.
"A touching heart, sharing heart and caring heart," Jessie Stubblefield Jr. said.
"It's not getting any easier out there on the street, and when it gets colder like this, then it just makes matters worse," said Teresa Wessel, Executive Director at Horizon House.
An alarming reality in the Circle City.
"Right now, our numbers are up over last year. Through October, we've seen just shy of 6,000 unique individuals. Last year we saw 6,000 over the course of the year. So, this year we think we'll be approaching nearly 7,000," Wessel said.
With this type of demand, resources for those facing homelessness are stretched thin to ensure those in need are served.
"Early October, we partnered with Amazon and one warm coat, and we got 300 brand new coats. They're gone. We just got another load of coats from a local company, and they're gone," Wessel said.
Wessel told WRTV that coordinators are working longer shifts as temperatures drop.
"They're going out every morning to the campsites that they know of to make sure that folks are safe. What they need, bringing as many supplies as we have," said Wessel.
Stubblefield Jr., an Indy resident awaiting his move-in date in two weeks, says he is doing what he can to stay warm for now.
"I can take my breath and open my coat up and breathe down there. It's more body heat. So, I got about one, two, three, four layers on now," Stubblefield Jr. said.
"These are folks that have fallen on hard times, and we need to help them," Wessel said. "We as a community need to help them. We at Horizon House need to help them. So, the more we can get donations in whether it's financial, whether it's clothing items. But we need to keep these individuals safe over this winter season."
Again, Wessel said they need coats, bigger coats that will allow people to layer. You can visit the Horizon House online to donate and help those in need this winter season.
-
Victim identified in shooting on Indy's near southwest side
Officers responded to the 2000 block of West Morris Street on the report of a person shot. The victim has died.
Suspect in deadly FSU shooting is son of sheriff's deputy and used her weapon
A 20-year-old Florida State University student and son of a sheriff's deputy opened fire on campus Thursday just before noon, killing two people and injuring multiple others, according to police.
State revenue forecast meeting: Senate has to cut $2.4 billion from the budget
State lawmakers said there's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the economy, resulting in major cuts in the state's budget. A move lawmakers consider to be very concerning.
'HEINOUS CRIME': 2 dead, at least 6 injured in shooting at FSU
Two people are dead and at least six people are recovering in the hospital after a gunman opened fire at Florida State University, police said.
