Jasperblu

Not knocking your efforts, and sure don't think homeless shelters are the best answer either (at least not when it comes to drug/alcohol addicts or the mentally ill). All the best either way!

Because we feed them all over the city at many shelters, soup kitchens, etc. Because they're allowed to camp wherever they want, and for the most part, law enforcement looks the other way. Because health care is obtainable. Because drugs are obtainable. Because there is very little in terms of mental health care (forced or free) to get these folks off the streets and back on their meds, if they need them. Because, despite the rain, it's actually NOT that cold here compared to large cities in the mid-west or east coast - where not only are they run off regularly by law enforcement, but the residents themselves aren't very keen on having them about. Seattle LOVES their homeless population. Sometimes, I think we downright encourage it. So yeah. It's a major problem here, that no one seems to care that much about. At least not in terms of eradicating it.

Also, I'll bet you money that 50% (probably a lot more) of those sleeping bags will be discarded as soaking wet and useless items within a month. You might seriously consider the suggestion above re: giving something more useful for keeping a homeless person dry and warm. Or, redirect your efforts and buy them proper rain hoodies/panchos, or backpacks that are outfitted with a towel, peanut butter, baby wipes, nuts, dried fruit, a lighter, etc. Just a thought.

Otherwise, I applaud you for your good intentions and hope it really works out better than I think it will.