No matter the season, there's an ongoing need to help Erie's vulnerable, homeless population.
On Saturday, community members went out of their way to make sure people had warm clothes and a meal before they began their days.


It was a quiet and chilly morning in Perry Square. But it's where people will find Jennifer Preston with her daughter and friends, passing out bibles and breakfast to those in need.

"We decided to come out and bless the community and this is the area. We decided to come out because there's a lot of people down here that need our help", said Preston.


She's been doing this act of ministry almost every month for the past three years and said whether people take a blessing bag, or fill out a prayer request, she's happy knowing she's making difference in someone's life. "Some of them come to us and that know that we are out here and will pray for them. So some of them don't even take breakfast from us, they don't want the bags, the tooth paste and stuff, they just need somebody to talk to and somebody to pray for them and so we do that too", explained Preston.


After picking up breakfast prepared by good Samaritans, people could walk over and get some warm clothes especially during these chilly spring days, all in honor or someone who was homeless them self.


Tina Malinowski and her her family started Danny's Gift to help Erie's homeless population. According to Malinowski,  "My brother was homeless, he died of an overdose of fentanyl, so after he passed away my mom and I decided to do this."


They organized a clothing drive to help people in need and passed out snacks for those on the streets. "They will have a few extra layers of clothing and they are going to have a meal, a hot dog, a snack, stuff like that, so it's going to warm my heart that I'm helping so many today", said Malinowski.


She's moved seeing the generosity of the community wanting to help people like her brother, Danny. "It's a godsend, there are good people out there", said Malinowski.

Organizers from Danny's Gift said they plan to host another event in November before the weather turns.