More than 1,900 people are experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara County. To help individuals and families stay warm this winter, the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office is accepting donations of sleeping bags, hats, gloves, jackets, clothing, socks, shoes, hygiene products, thermal underwear, scarves, and backpacks.

New or lightly used donations are being accepted during regular business hours from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Public Defender’s offices, 1100 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara; and 312-P E. Cook St., Bldg. A, Santa Maria. Physical donations may be made through 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12.

Financial donations will also be accepted, for the purchase of new sleeping bags and undergarments, and are tax deductible through the Public Defender’s partnership with Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara. Financial donations may be made online through the website, 2022 Sleeping Bag Drive | Family Service Agency, givebox.com.

Donations of items will not be accepted at Family Service Agency.

To receive donated goods, those experiencing homelessness will need to attend a distribution event, noon-2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, or until supplies last at each office of the Public Defender. Outreach teams and community partners are working to inform clients of the donations that will be made available to them at the event.

For more, call the County Public Defender’s Office in Santa Barbara, 805-568-3470; Santa Maria, 805-346-7500.