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The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is asking the community, during this winter season, to help provide warmth to those living on the streets.
This winter season, the sheriff’s office is collaborating with the United Way of Forsyth County to ensure our homeless community stays warm during the abnormally low temperatures of winter.

Approximately 250 residents in Forsyth County are currently living on the streets, which is one of the highest numbers of street homelessness recorded in the county’s history. All of the shelters across the county are at COVID-19 capacity. Three additional overflow shelters are currently open, as well as a white flag center during inclement weather, to help provide the resources needed for the homeless population during the colder winter months.

Residents are asked to donate new subzero sleeping bags to make this winter manageable for those who do not have a warm place to stay. The sheriff’s office is purchasing sleeping bags to donate along with the donations received by the community. Donations of new sleeping bags may be dropped off from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the FCSO public lobby in the winter wear bin at 301 N. Church St, Winston-Salem. No monetary donations can be accepted by the sheriff’s office but donations can be made directly to United Way at www.forsythunitedway.org (click on GIVE and enter “Warmth for the Homeless” in the comment section).

“During these cold winter months, we sometimes forget how much we have to be grateful for, like the necessities of food, water and a warm place to stay,” said Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough Jr. “I was reminded of this over the weekend when I saw a resident on the streets trying to stay warm covered in blankets. I need your help to provide warmth to our homeless population this winter because we are better together, stronger together, and warmer together.”