As the coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen in the United States, local homeless communities become more at risk for the disease with each passing day.

One local non-profit, Hearts for the Homeless International, is looking to find innovative ways to help these people stay safe and stay healthy.

The treasurer of Hearts for the Homeless, Kayla Ferro, recently talked with 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck about the measures her organization is taking during this difficult time.

Because the main focus of Hearts for the Homeless, which just started its Chapel Hill chapter back in December, is on health issues, it’s partnered with the Interfaith Council for Social Service and the Student Health Action Committee to help the homeless have access to resources like shelters and meals.

Hearts for the Homeless typically does weekly blood pressure screenings, and educates people on their results before connecting them to other resources.

They have helped around 90 homeless individuals in Chapel Hill according to Ferro, while serving over 3,000 across the United States as a whole.

Ferro mentioned she and other members of the organization have gone out and distributed information packets along with bars of soap and water in an effort to educate the homeless community about the pandemic.

One thing she noticed when doing so was there were some homeless people who had no idea what was going on in relation to the coronavirus.

For those who were already informed, though, the overwhelming feeling Ferro gets from speaking with them is one of fear and uncertainty.

“One individual I spoke to who is experiencing homelessness in the community, she was just nervous about the unstable conditions that are going to be facing her,” Ferro said. “She is already stressed being homeless, then add this on top and she doesn’t know if she can get in the shelter every night. Or if she can get access to a meal every night. I think just the nerves of the unknown is what’s stressing everyone out along with the rest of the community.”

Ferro also mentioned that her organization is currently working on a prototype for portable handwashing stations. This would allow the homeless to disinfect themselves prior to eating meals or entering any kind of shelter.

“Our next step is to develop these handwashing stations, and we have to purchase all the materials for those now,” Ferro said. “We’re still working on a prototype, but it would be typically like a cooler or a lot more water or some soap.”

In addition to those supplies, the organization is still actively seeking donations as well as any potential new ideas that could help get through the pandemic.

For more information on Hearts for the Homeless, visit its website.

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