Last year members of Calvary Apostolic Church handed out more than 110 blankets to warm needy people.
This year they are aiming for 500.
``We are looking to blanket Jackson County with warmth,'' said Angelic Sponaugle, who organizes the Cup of Joe and a Blanket To Go program. ``We saw such a great need and we didn't come near the need that was out there. We just felt like we needed to do it again.''
Pickup begins at 10 a.m. Jan. 19 at the Jackson Interfaith Shelter, 414 S. Blackstone St.
The group is hoping to expand its second annual event to two pickup locations, but a second spot has yet to be chosen to go along with the shelter, Sponaugle said. So far the group has collected 50 blankets.
``We are looking for the support of the community to help us,'' she said. ``It seems like people want to give and they want to help, but they don't know how. We feel like it is a wonderful way for folks to reach out to their community.''
The Rev. William Scott, pastor of the church, said he's been touched to see volunteers sacrifice their own hats, gloves and socks to help others.
``It is not about us,'' Scott said. ``It is about reaching out and touching people. Especially with the economy today.
``It seems Jackson has been hit pretty hard.''
Church members are looking for blankets, coats, hats and gloves -- whatever people are willing to donate to help warm people, Sponaugle said. They would also like to see people volunteer to pass out coffee and donated items.
Starbucks is providing the coffee again this year, Sponaugle said.
The Salvation Army and local motels have gotten on board to donate blankets, she said.
This year, Sponaugle hopes to show the church's appreciation to people who donate and participate by holding a free dinner at the church featuring a slide show of the event so people can see what happened to their blankets.
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