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Central Arkansas Christmas Caravan helps homeless population with clothing, toys and food

The Central Arkansas Christmas Caravan has been held in Little Rock for 14 years now. Volunteers meet in a parking lot with clothing, toys, and food to hand out to the homeless or people who are in need.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - The Central Arkansas Christmas Caravan has been held in Little Rock for 14 years now. Volunteers meet in a parking lot with clothing, toys, and food to hand out to the homeless or people who are in need.

This started as a single truck that drove around and donated goods to people who are homeless. Now, 14 years later, the Central Arkansas Christmas Caravan is a huge event organizers call a potluck of love and compassion.

“It’s just a chance for our homeless and low-income friends," organizer Christie Powell said. "We provide toys, warm sleeping bags, clothes, just trying to make it a happy day.”

Churches, businesses, organizations and other volunteers meet in the Clinton Presidential Center parking lot to hand out warm clothing and outdoor living necessities.

“It’s just grown and grown and grown with people coming down and getting the things they need, all of the toys for the children,” Sandra Wilson said.

With cups of hot chocolate and a chance to speak with Santa, it’s a time for those in need to have a Christmas.

“We’ll get the airport landing strip if we have to, but we want it to be really special,” Powell said.

Wilson is president of the Arkansas Homeless Coalition and founded the caravan in 2004. She said a lot has changed since then.

“A huge increase in families is absolutely heartbreaking," Wilson said. "Newborn babies to teenagers, all ages, just living out in the woods.”

Wilson said over half of the homeless population in Little Rock sleeps outside.

“We’ve got to have some sheltering options because all these people have no place to go,” Wilson said.

Over 700 people got coats and more than 15,000 got sleeping bags. Organizers are happy to be able to provide a little bit of relief to lift everyone’s spirits.

“There’s a whole lot of thank you’s, there’s a whole lot of tears," Powell said. "I don’t know if the tears are on my part or their part, but they’re very appreciative, they’re very happy. There’s a real spirit of joy, which I love and a real spirit of Christmas.”

If you want to donate items or participate in the event next year, just send a message to the Central Arkansas Christmas Caravan Facebook page.

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