Submitted by Thurston County Public Health and Social Services
Thurston County’s winter clothing drive is now collecting donations! The donations will be distributed to our homeless neighbors as part of the 2024 Point in Time Count (Homeless Census).
Donations and Drop-off Information
Please consider donating gently used or new clothing – especially coats/jackets, gloves, hats, and scarves. All sizes for adults and kids are welcome, and adult sizes medium to XXL are most needed.
Drop off donations on Fridays from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Old Olympia Fire Hall at 108 State Avenue NW in downtown Olympia. Please use the parking lot side door across from the Olympia Senior Center. If you need to have donations picked up, please contact PITcensusteam@co.thurston.wa.us or 360.490.1280. Someone will be there to help you at the drop-off site through January 19, 2024.
What is the Point in Time Count?
Every January, partners of the Thurston County Homeless Crisis Response System and community volunteers conduct a count of unsheltered individuals living in the county. This annual event is called the Point in Time Count and it’s required around the nation, by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The Point in Time Count takes place over one week starting on the third Thursday of January. It’s made up of a series of events where unsheltered community members can complete surveys that specifically ask where they stayed on the third Thursday night of January to count the unsheltered population at that specific point in time. In addition to the survey of unsheltered individuals, people staying in shelters, and transitional housing are counted. The events include snacks, information about resources, and incentives like survival gear, gift cards, and winter clothing. In 2024, the Point in Time Count is from January 25 – February 1.
The data from the annual Point in Time Count is published and submitted to HUD to be included in a national data report. The 2023 Point in Time Count Report was published earlier this fall and reports from previous years are available on Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, Office of Housing & Homeless Prevention’s Data and Reports web page.
How to support the Point in Time Count
- Volunteer! If you’re interested in volunteering, fill out this Volunteer Interest Form. Filling out this form gets you on the email list of 2024 potential volunteers. There are several volunteer tasks including:
- Providing haircuts (licensed professionals only).
- Sorting donations.
- Conducting surveys.
- Running: making deliveries and dropping off supplies.
- Helping at events.
- Donate! Donate to the winter clothing drive. Businesses can donate food, coffee, and cold weather supplies through January 19, 2024.
- Spread the word! Follow the Thurston County Point in Time Count on Facebook @icountthurston and share the posts.
Get in touch with the Point in Time Count Coordinator at PITcensusteam@co.thurston.wa.us or 360.490.1280. This important week-long event is a community effort. Every year, the community partners, volunteers, and generous donations make it a success.
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