JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The South Central Homeless Coalition has kicked off their 3rd Annual Blessing Bags Drive to help out the areas homeless population.

The coalition is partnering with the Jamestown Ministerial Association, Triumph Inc., and Edgewood Senior Living to fill the bags with essential care items to people experiencing homelessness or other hardships. Coalition member Tonya Perkins says they had great success with the event last year.

Cassie DuBray says their success has prompted them to set a higher goal this year.

Perkins says the community can help them by donating needed items at several different drop off sites in the region.

Drop off sites include the Great Plains Housing Authority, Jamestown Ministerial Association, Triumph Inc., Trinity Lutheran, Edgewood Senior Living, Jamestown Area Ambulance and The Vault in Valley City. A traveling box will also be at each of the midday Lenten services through the Ministerial Association.

Homelessness continues to grow in the state according to DuBray.

The donations will be available through April 2nd and a packaging event will following on April 11th starting at 1 PM at Edgewood Senior Living. For more information, you can visit the South Central Homeless Coalitions Facebook page.

Listen to a full interview with Tonya Perkins and Cassie DuBray below: