Concerned by how the harsh winter weather is affecting the city’s homeless population, two Dayton men have organized a winter clothing drive.
Tushar Goswami and Corgi Dixon spent the better part of a very cold Wednesday calling downtown establishments and gathering support for the drive. Several business agreed to serve as drop-off locations.
Goswami says despite designating a handful of warming centers in the area, city resources just aren’t enough to help the homeless through the severe cold weather.
“The sad state of the situation is private citizens have to come together and say here is our empathy for the situation and here's how we're going to deal with it,” he says.
Drop off locations for new or gently-used winter clothing so far include: The Trolley Stop, Urban Krag, Toxic Brewing Co., and Omega Music -- all in Dayton’s Oregon District.
Other downtown businesses including Barrel House, Canal Street Arcade and Deli, YMCA of Greater Dayton, and The Dayton Peace Museum will also accept donations. And St. Vincent DePaul has agreed to help the young men with with logistics, including pickup and delivery of the donated goods.
The winter clothing drive for the homeless begins Friday and runs through Valentine's Day on Feb. 14.
Organizations interested in serving as drop-off locations or helping in other ways can email the organizers at DYTWinterDrive@gmail.com
