With more than 2,400 people experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara County, the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office is working to help individuals and families stay warm this winter by collecting new and like-new donations of the following items:

· Sleeping bags
· Gloves, jackets, shoes, scarves and backpacks
· Hygiene products and thermal underwear
· New socks and underwear (most needed items)

Donations are accepted 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday now through Dec. 11 at Santa Barbara Public Defender’s Office, 1100 Anacapa St., and Santa Maria Public Defender’s Office, 312 E. Cook St., building A.

Donations can also be purchased through the event’s Amazon Wishlist.

Tax-deductible financial donations may be made through the Public Defender’s partnership with Adam’s Angels.

Visit the Adam’s Angels donation portal and click “Donate,” select “Sleeping Bag Drive” from the drop-down menu to direct your gift to the county drive. Funds will be used to purchase new sleeping bags and undergarments.

To receive donated goods, individuals must attend one of the following events, noon-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 outside the Santa Barbara Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa St.; or the Santa Maria Public Defender’s Office, 312 E. Cook St., bldg. A.

Events will continue while supplies last. Local outreach teams and community partners are notifying clients about the available donations.

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