DETROIT (WWJ) -- Members of the Detroit Police Department spent Friday afternoon passing out care packages to residents struggling with homelessness.
"It's important that we remember our most vulnerable population," DPD shared in a post about the public service effort on Twitter.
The care packages contained winter necessities like socks, hats, gloves and scarves as well as personal care essentials and feminine hygiene products.
Items were handed out in backpacks, making them easier to carry.
Each backpack also contained a resource card with contact information for public services, such as housing assistance, mental health assistance and health care.
Tucking the resource cards in with the other necessities ensures that those in need will always have the information at hand -- for themselves or others.
According to Raven Alford, an executive director with DPD, the goal of Friday's program was to hand out the care packages in the city's hotspots in order to provide those who are unsheltered with the supplies and information they need.
Alford also explained why DPD decided to set up their distribution sites outside.
"We wanted to prioritize it being outside because they [Detroit's homeless population] don't get the option to always be indoors," she told WWJ. "We wanted to meet them where they're at."
According to DPD, the Unsheltered Population Response Team, Motor City Mitten Mission and the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network helped with the outreach effort.
Carter Drewry, Director of Grants and Communication for the Detroit Public Safety Foundation told WWJ that they received $1 million in funding for the distribution program, including significant donations from the Flinn Foundation and the Hudson-Webber Foundation.
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