Volunteers help the homeless stay warm

ELKHART, Ind.-- Frigid temperatures can be dangerous for those who don't have a place to call home. Volunteers are handing out blankets and sleeping bags to the homeless this week.

John Shafer said, “Even one blanket, we feel, can sometimes save a life.”

Shafer has sleeping bags, blankets, and coats in storage. Three items that can potentially save a homeless person's life.

Shafer said, “At night a lot of times, they are on their own.”

In Elkhart the homeless population sleeps on the streets, in tents, and on city sidewalks.

Shafer said, “There’s probably a few thousand homeless people. Many of them disabled, some veterans, some in wheelchairs."

Since dedicating his retirement to serving the homeless, Shafer and his non-profit have supplied 14 local homeless shelters with warm clothing.

Shafer said, “We will be happy to pick up any clothing, blankets, or sleeping bags, and make sure those directly benefit someone who is homeless.”

Shafer and a group of volunteeers will be heading out to tent cities and homeless communities Wednesday night.

Shafer said, “We are going to go out to the Goshen area to look for the homeless. We will be taking them blankets, coats, hats, gloves, and sleeping bags.”

If you want to help the homeless survive this cold winter, you can search "Chicago and Michiana Five for the Homeless" for more information.