Freezin For A Reason - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Homelessness continues to be a growing problem in the Bismarck and Mandan area.

With the holidays right around the corner, dozens of volunteers are braving the cold tonight, raising awareness.

The temperature outside will continue to drop throughout the night, but these volunteers are standing outside until midnight, freezin for a reason.

"We are out here to freeze for the homeless and there is a reason to freeze because there are people who are freezing every night in our community," Co-Chair Jessica Hanson said.

These signs are all that drivers need to see to realize how many people don't have a warm place to sleep at night.

"It's everyday people friends from middle class, lower class, high class and people lose jobs and they come here thinking they can live the dream and get a job and they come here and there's nothing and they have nowhere to go," Brittni Auch said.

"We found out there's 280 homeless kids and they just really need money for their food and other things," Camryn Harter said.

Clothes along with money are being welcomed to help those struggling with homelessness, and those donating are happy to do it.

"I'm just on my way home from work, and going past all these kids, the young ones especially seeing that they are out here for a great cause and I'm thinking why wouldn't I help," Susan Schwieters said.

Every donation is helping the homeless receive what they need just in time for the holidays.

"With it being Christmas time, those families don't have a home to call their own so if we can give them some basic goods that we take for granted, maybe they're able to focus on the holidays in a nicer, positive way," Hanson said.

Which is why Susan Schwieters is happy to help those who need it.

"It always feels good to give to people that are needed, I work downtown and I get the chance to see a lot of people down there that need places to be, so I've been fortunate enough to help out, why not, it's the right thing to do," Schwieters said.

To help a growing epidemic.

All of the donations tonight go to the homeless coalition, the items will then be distributed to agencies that work with homeless individuals.