By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-772580.mp3
Buffalo, NY – UB students will be taking part Friday night in the national awareness campaign, "Night Out for Homelessness."
Hundreds of students and people from the community are expected to sleep at the North Campus outside in cardboard boxes. The dramatic event is part of the annual national effort to bring attention to poverty. Elizabeth Odell, UB's coordinator for the event, says now more than ever people should be able to find sympathy, if not empathy, for those who find themselves without a place to call home.
Bill O'Connell is executive director for the Homeless Alliance of Western New York. He says that on any given night, 150 people sleep out on the streets in our community. Another 2,000 homeless spend the night in shelters. He says it's been a slowly growing problem. And O'Connell says it could get worse.
But O'Connell says that doesn't mean the community is powerless to work on eliminating homelessness. He says there are good programs that are making a difference, such as housing first options.
Anyone interested in showing support by participating in Night Out for Homelessness can purchase tickets at the UB student Union. All proceeds will benefit Buffalo Habitat for Humanity.
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