The Cover the Cold initiative, a used blanket drive for Baltimore's homeless, is taking place on campus now through March 7, 2011.
Brianna Minnock, a senior Political Science major from Gibsonia, Pa., came up with the idea for the drive after a visit to Baltimore over winter break. Shocked at the number of homeless men, women, and children, Minnock said she tried to give as much as she could but still felt there was more she could do. By bringing the message to campus, she hopes to improve the lives of as many as possible. Minnock hopes to hold another drive in late April or early May.
There are an estimated 3,400 homeless people in Baltimore, and 43 percent are women and children.
Donations may be dropped off in designated boxes at the John P. Murtha Institute for Homeland Security or in the Political Science Department in Keith Hall. Blankets will be delivered to Baltimore Outreach Services of the Inner Harbor Area.
Minnock can be reached for questions at mbmp@iup.edu. For more information on homelessness in Baltimore, visit the Baltimore Outreach Services website.