Thursday, October 1, 2026
Thurston County is calling on community members to volunteer and donate items for the upcoming 2026 Point-In-Time (PIT) Count, a federally mandated census of people experiencing homelessness.
The count is scheduled for Jan. 29 through Feb. 5.
The count is a nationwide effort required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to count individuals experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness at a specific point in time.
While the count has been conducted annually for more than a decade, 2026 will be the final year before the PIT transitions to a biennial schedule.
In Thurston County, PIT activities typically last more than a week and include multiple events where participants can complete surveys that ask where they slept on the night of PIT. Participants can also access food, survival gear and a connection to local service providers.
Items distributed over the years include warm clothes, gloves, hand warmers, blankets, duffel bags and tarps.
In addition to the events, local homeless service providers conduct phone surveys and do direct outreach at encampments.
The United Way of Thurston County, which is coordinating this year’s count, is seeking volunteers for several roles:
A winter clothes drive is currently accepting donations through Jan. 23. The collected items will be distributed to homeless individuals during PIT Count events, along with food and connections to resource providers.
Most needed items include:
Donation drop-off locations include:
For more information about volunteering or the PIT Count, contact 2026 PIT Coordinator Jordan McEachern at United Way Thurston County, at jmceachern@unitedway-thurston.org, or sign up here to volunteer.
4 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Arete
This is a good opportunity for those who often complain about the homeless in their comments. It's a chance for you to learn more about their situations and maybe even do something positive to help.
Wednesday, January 7 Report this
JulesJames
So we count heads and hand out blankets. Wouldn't it be better to actually collect demographic data: age, hometown, months on street currently, episodes of transient living before? Health data: additions, diseases, medication needs? Personal data for those receiving government assistance: SSI, SNAP, Basic Food, Section 8, etcetera? Solving problems starts with accurate data, not blind "compassion".
Wednesday, January 7 Report this
Boatyarddog
@JulesJames, that's exactly what there doing its how its done. Please read Aretes comment above yours. If your interested in how WE help, then contact them. If your Not Aware of how funds to the less fortunate are distributed LEARN. P.I.T. is an informative and good way to see how your (taxes) help in these matters. Complaints fall on Deaf Ears when it comes to less fortunate people .and Helping them.
Wednesday, January 7 Report this
Boatyarddog
JulesJames, with regards to Health questions HIPPA is restrictive in medical info. Same as you'd get at any medical provider. These are protected rights, you don't just get private info. From anyone in the medical field.
Wednesday, January 7 Report this