“Volunteers with BeLoved Asheville made the rounds on Saturday, ensuring members of the homeless community had supplies ahead of the weekend’s winter storm.
The nonprofit group advocates for those experiencing homelessness. Loaded down with a trunk full of portable heaters, sleeping bags, tents, gloves and more, volunteers doled out donations at Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville.
Andrew Parsons, who said he has been homeless in Asheville for the last six months, said he was grateful for the supplies.
“It’s crucial; these things are vital to us,” Parsons said. “We’re just in a bad situation – bad timing.”
According to Parsons, every camp he has stayed in is now demolished – leaving him forced to roam.
“We’re having to re-set up camp, carry our stuff and try to find work or find money for the day,” Parsons said.
When the winter weather rolls in, Parsons said he doesn’t know where he will be, but he’s putting faith in his new tent.
“If [the snow] doesn’t collapse the tent, we’ll be in the tent,” he said.
Krista Shalda heads up BeLoved Asheville’s street medic team. Shalda, a registered nurse, said she will be warning people about the harsh dangers of riding out the storm on the streets.
According to Shalda, the street medic teams will be driving across Buncombe County throughout the night Saturday into Sunday….”
View the whole story here: https://wlos.com/amp/news/local/winter-storm-izzy-nonprofit-beloved-asheville-street-medic-teams-monitor-homeless-for-frostbite-hypothermia