The annual Every One Counts Campaign begins Wednesday night in the Ozarks [Video]

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Community Partnership of the Ozarks’ annual count of the homeless population in Greene, Christian, and Webster counties begins Wednesday night.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires a yearly count in January to determine funding.

Sixty volunteers will hand-count and take surveys at libraries, cold weather shelters, and other locations between Jan. 22 and 24. Those who participate in the survey will receive a care bag with food, water, and other necessities.

Emily Fessler, the Continuum of Care Director at Community Partnership of the Ozarks, says the survey exceeds numbers.

“A lot of times, there are people and community members that walk right past them and try not to make eye contact with them, and a lot of times, they just want companionship,” she said. “They just want to talk to somebody. This is a great opportunity to hear about their experiences, what brought …