Volunteers Help and Count Binghamton Homeless

Volunteers from the Coalition for the Homeless of the Southern Tier and the Rescue Mission in Binghamton are handing out care kits for the homeless and taking a count of how many people in the Binghamton area are without permanent shelter. 

The count of the homeless is required by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and is expected to be completed in the next few days.

Sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals in the Binghamton area numbered over 900 last year.

Some of those considered homeless find a place to sleep at a shelter. But others face the cold in places like under bridges or behind dumpsters or buildings.

Volunteers were reportedly out overnight looking for people taking refuge in bus stations, alleyways and doorways, distributing items like granola bars, water bottles and hats donated by area residents.

The Davis College men’s and women’s basketball teams have been collecting donations of items for the homeless like warm gloves and hats, power nutritioin bars and water bottles at their home games at the Riverside Drive, Johnson City campus.