As temperatures fall below freezing Thursday night, a dedicated group of volunteers will be out on foot, looking for homeless people.

The South Carolina Homeless Coalition counts the state's homeless population every two years. In 2011, they found more than 230 in York County alone. 

"I hope it infuriates people and makes them want to do something," said Angela Miller, who's heading up the effort in York County.

"We have homeless people here, and we don't have enough services," she said.

York County has fewer than 100 beds for the homeless, and most of them are for families with children, not for homeless men.

One woman involved in the count is homeless herself. Karen Grant, 54, lives in the shelter at Pilgrims' Inn in Rock Hill.

She lost her job after a back injury, and was on the streets for three years.

"I slept in abandoned houses, abandoned cars, anywhere that I felt safe," Grant said.

Today, she's trying to get back on her feet. She said she understands the people she'll be looking for and the obstacles they face.

"It's not easy being homeless at all. They're afraid to ask for help. They're afraid they'll be taken to jail. Lots of things," Grant said. "Things get bad, but they're not bad people."

Volunteers divide York County into five sections, and each group checks in on known locations where there are homeless camps and follows up on tips where others have been seen.

The purpose of the homeless count is to gather information, not to turn anyone in to law enforcement. In fact, police and firefighters are often the ones who know where the homeless are, and assist in finding them.

The count not only raises awareness about the problem, but also allows charities to apply for major grants to serve them. Following past counts, local agencies have been able to get thousands of dollars in grants for housing, mental health and substance abuse programs and other kinds of aid.

"This will hopefully be an eye-opener and give people a snapshot of what's going on," Miller said.

In Lancaster County, volunteers will focus on specific parts of the county.

"It's different here in the rural areas than it is in the bigger cities," said Mike Montgomery, who's coordinating the effort there. "We've got the police and sheriff's office involved. They'll call us tonight if they come across any homeless people."

Lancaster County has a family shelter, but no men's shelter. During the last count in 2011, less than 10 homeless people were found.

The statewide count is likely to last into February, and the results should be available by mid-month.

Channel 9 asked Miller about the frigid weather, and the threat of severe weather expected during the launch of this year's count.

She said that would not deter volunteers from combing the woods and searching highway overpasses and abandoned lots.

"If we're out there freezing, just imagine sleeping out there," she said.

Each person they find receives a kit of donated supplies. There are blankets, toiletries, clothes, socks and information about local agencies that can help.