The Tacoma-Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness is seeking the community’s help in conducting its annual census of the county’s homeless population.

The point-in-time survey is scheduled for Thurs., Jan. 28 and Fri., Jan. 29. More than 100 community volunteers are needed to visit homeless individuals and ask a few questions about their situations. Volunteers will be paired for safety and will attempt to locate all unsheltered individuals who are homeless.

Call Lynda Buchanan at (253) 798-6526 to volunteer for the survey.

The public can also help the homeless by donating personal items such as clothes, blankets, sleeping bags, jackets, socks, gloves, hats, scarves, duffle bags, non-perishable food, bottled water, can openers, flashlights/batteries, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, towels and feminine products.

Bring donations to the Pierce County Housing Program located on the first floor of the Soundview Building, at 3602 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma.

Data collected during the annual survey helps provide a picture of the homeless issues in Pierce County, drives planning efforts such as the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness and leverages funding for homeless housing and services from the public and private sectors.