Palatka, Fla. - The Putnam County Homeless Coalition (DOH-Putnam is a member) and community organizations collaborated to organize the 2020 "Point in Time" count of the unsheltered and homeless in the county.

The count is ordered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is used to determine the amount of federal funding needed to help the homeless population. Currently Putnam County does not have a homeless shelter and limited services are available to help those in need.

Volunteers prepared goodie bags including snacks, toiletries, washcloths, backpacks, survival blankets and hats to distribute as they surveyed assigned areas. Putnam County showed a significant increase in the homeless population numbers compared to previous years mainly due to planning and volunteers. Cynthia D'Agostine, DOH-Putnam Program Consultant joined residents in this initiative.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.