Broward County homeless shelters and soup kitchens have been swamped by needy people since South Florida weather turned cold.
The sudden cold snap caught some shelters without enough blankets and warm clothing to satisfy demand. On Tuesday, officials for the shelters appealed for public donations.
"We need blankets, coats, anything to help people keep warm," said Cynthia Goldsberry, a board member for the St. Lawrence Chapel for the Homeless in Pompano Beach. The shelter ran out of blankets early Monday, Goldsberry said.
In Hollywood, the Broward Outreach Center said it did not have enough blankets for the additional 50 homeless people who visited the center on Tuesday.
"People don't often need to wear jackets here, so it's not the type of thing we keep in storage," said Alan Reesor, social services director. "When these cold fronts hit is the time that we need people to donate," he said.
If you are interested in making a donation of blankets or warm clothing, contact:
Mills Multipurpose Center, 900 NW
31st Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954-327-8700
Salvation Army, 1445 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-524-6991
Broward County North Multipurpose Center, 2011 NW Third Ave., Pompano Beach, 954-786-2121
Broward Outreach Center, 2056 Scott St., Hollywood, 954-926-7417.