The Southeast Region Homelessness Committee participated in its second year of the Point-In-Time (PIT) homeless count on Jan. 27.
More than 20 students, faculty, and other volunteers aided in providing for those in need at the Pembroke count site location.
Students from the barbering program from Robeson County Community College provided the homeless with free haircuts.
Hygiene products and clothing were provided by the Care Resource Center to be handed out to those in need.
The Office of Community and Civic Engagement served spaghetti plates to the homeless, complete with desserts donate by Steven Roberts Originals Bakery.
A police officer volunteered for the homeless count location in Pembroke by driving around looking for signs of homelessness.
The signs noted were any conditions not meant for human habitation, those staying permanently or temporarily in hotels for other reasons than vacation and those staying in an emergency shelter.
The PIT homeless count takes place nationwide once a year on the last Wednesday in January. On the chosen date, the amount of homeless is documented and services are provided to them as well.
UNC Pembroke has participated in the PIT homeless count for two years. The Pembroke location count began at 6 p.m. and ended at 10 p.m. While only 11 homeless people were documented through a survey, more attended the event at the Pembroke location.
There were three volunteer locations including the Pembroke Fire Department, My Refuge and Lumberton Christian Care. While the count is nationwide, UNC Pembroke focused specifically on Robeson County.
While the PIT homeless count takes place once a year, there are other opportunities to help those in need that are available all year round.
Volunteers are needed at the Sacred Pathways soup kitchen to help provide two meals per day to those in need. Lumberton Christian Care also accepts volunteers for the homelessness shelter. Food, clothing and hygiene item donations are accepted at the CARE resource center.
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