Advocates hope to keep homeless warm as temps drop

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Advocates for Charlotte’s homeless are concerned for the well-being of those without homes as temperatures dip into the 20s at night.

“I pray for everybody out here that is on the streets,” Lisa, who did not want to reveal her last name, said.

She prepared to sleep outside during Charlotte's coldest night of the year.

She knows the risks that come with sleeping in frigid temperatures but for her and her friend Billy, they have no choice.

“Just pray that we make it through the night,” Lisa said.

Twenty-eight people have died on the streets compared to 10 last year.

“(The year) 2017 was one of the worst years we've had in terms of individuals dying on the streets,” Allison Winston, with Urban Ministry, said.

Ahead of nightfall on Tuesday, Winston and Urban Ministry’s team walked through uptown to connect homeless people with resources and hand out things like scarves, hats and gloves --- all donated by the community.

People lined up as early as 4 p.m. for Urban Ministry's room at The Inn that provides a room and a meal at a local church.

Space is limited and if someone doesn't get into another shelter or chooses to sleep on the street, the donations will be the only line of defense against the cold weather.

Lisa has been through cold nights in the past and predicts more in the future, but she is thankful for Urban Ministry and everyone who pitches in to help.

“A lot of people look at us differently than other people but we are all the same in God's eye,” Lisa said.

In addition to donating Urban Ministry, advocates said you can tell people to call 211 to connect them to resources.

Anyone interested in donating items can email Allison Winston at awinston@urbanministrycenter.org to coordinate, and the form anyone can fill out if they are concerned about someone sleeping on the street can be found on urban ministry's website, in the street outreach section. The ministry follows up on all referrals. http://www.urbanministrycenter.org/helping-the-homeless/ways-we-help/street-outreach/

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• 9 investigates transparency at 12 largest Charlotte area churches
• Deputies give 'all clear' after bomb threat made to Meck. Co. Courthouse
• Anthony Bourdain, Tom Colicchio slam Mario Batali amid allegations
• WATCH: Keith Monday's Tuesday forecast outlook
• Mark Wahlberg's burger restaurant 'Wahlburgers' to open in Charlotte
• CMPD officer starts campaign to help family of hospitalized 13-year-old

Cox Media Group