Columbia holds first Project Homeless Connect event of 2017

The city of Columbia and the Columbia/Boone County Basic Needs Coalition held the first Project Homeless Connect event of 2017 on Thursday morning.

Community volunteers came together with nonprofits, city government and members of the private sector to provide health and basic needs services for homeless individuals and families. The services included medical, dental and legal help, as well as more tangible items such as free eyeglasses, food and clothing.

“The idea is to bring folks who are experiencing homelessness into one spot and provide basic services for them,” said Bill Cantin, Columbia’s neighborhood communications coordinator.

This is the ninth year that the city has held a Project Homeless Connect event. Events are held twice a year on the fourth Thursdays of January and July.