HARRISBURG, Pa. — On Saturday, dozens of volunteers from multiple organizations came out to the Capital Area Greenbelt, helping to clean trash and distribute food and clothes to homeless individuals living in the area.
The effort was part of Harrisburg's Homelessness Awareness Week.
“We still love and care for them," said Ian Wingfield, the social action chairman for the Kappa Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. "There is still a community that has a heart for the people who are less fortunate.”
“There are a lot of people who are in need, and we’re hoping we can do a little something to help them out," said Jeffery Hill with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
State Representative Patty Kim hopes events like this will get more people’s eyes on challenges commonly experienced by those struggling with homelessness.
“We’re seeing more and more people who are falling on hard times and could use this type of help," said Rep. Patty Kim (D-103). “These people are not bad, they’re not dumb, they’re not uneducated. They just need a little bit of help.”
As volunteers and advocates extend a helping hand, they are encouraging others to help those who need it the most.
“So, the more people come together for one focused cause, the bigger the impact is for all," said Tony Oyola, assistant secretary with the Buffalo Soldiers of Harrisburg.