Knox and Whitley Counties will be part of this year’s K-Count, a statewide count of homeless Kentuckians of all ages who are living in shelters, abandoned buildings, on the streets, in their cars, and other places not meant for human habitation.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the count as a condition of funding for its homeless service programs and to provide information to Congress on the state of homelessness across the country.
The K-Count allows Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) and other interested parties to better understand homelessness in Kentucky by monitoring trends, tracking progress, and making informed decisions for resource allocation.
This year’s K-Count for Knox and Whitley will be done by KCEOC Community Action Partnership on Wednesday, January 25.
Typically, Outreach efforts include volunteers driving around the Knox and Whitley areas in search of homeless persons; and handing out backpacks, blankets, toboggans, gloves, scarves, and non-perishable food items to the homeless.
However, community donations are vital in this effort. So KCEOC is seeking the community’s assistance in bringing in donations to prepare for Wednesday’s K-Count.
Donations needed:
· Backpacks
· Toiletries
· Blankets
· Scarves
· Toboggans
· Gloves
· Non-perishable food items that do not require cooking
· Food gift cards
Direct donation to KCEOC Community Action Partnership (service provider) at
www.kceoc.org/support-us
For information and donation delivery for the K-Count, contact Beverly Isom (KCEOC) at bisom@kceoc.com or by calling 606-627-7827.
Samantha Walden, Staff Writer at The Kentucky Daily