Ken Gibeon, who has been homeless in Tallahassee for "a couple of years" drinks his coffee at his camp in Tallahassee, Florida November 15, 2010. Financially strapped and many times homeless Tallahassee residents and families seek assistance at ECHO for their most basic needs of food, clothing and shelter.
Slideshow Photos: © Mark Wallheiser

16 month-old Liam Hamilton and his mother Kelly Hamilton wait in the lobby of ECHO to be helped with some of their family's most basic needs as financially strapped and many times homeless Tallahassee residents and families try to get by in today's economy October 27, 2010.
Slideshow Photos: © Mark Wallheiser

Turkey week at ECHO where the Emergency Care Help Organization gives away approx 250 turkeys along with the cranberry, stuffing and other supplies for a good Thanksgiving meal. The under funded and homeless depend on ECHO for their most basic needs of food, clothing and shelter.
Slideshow Photos: © Mark Wallheiser

Homeless ECHO client Bill Oliver enjoys a Thanksgiving meal at the Big Bend Homeless Coalition on Pensacola Street in Tallahassee, Florida November 25, 2010. Oliver lives in the woods in the Apalachicola National Forest.
Slideshow Photos: © Mark Wallheiser

Ken Gibeon,, who has been homeless in Tallahassee for "a couple of years" outside the ECHO office after picking up a lunch pack and blanket October 18, 2010. Financially strapped and many times homeless Tallahassee residents and families seek assistance at ECHO for their most basic needs of food, clothing and shelter.
Slideshow Photos: © Mark Wallheiser

Christine Barns (L) talks with one of the emergency resource counselors at ECHO as her son, twelve year-old Revis Dixon Jr. sits next to her while she seeks assistance for seven people in her household October 27, 2010. Financially strapped and many times homeless Tallahassee residents and families seek the most basic needs of food, clothing and shelter at the ECHO office October 27, 2010.Slideshow Photos: © Mark Wallheiser

20 month-old Christopher Johnson plays with a chair while his mother seeksg assistance for some her families most basic needs at ECHO October 27, 2010. Financially strapped and many times homeless Tallahassee residents and families increasingly seek assistance with their most basic needs of food, clothing and shelter at ECHO in Tallahassee, Florida.
Slideshow Photos: © Mark Wallheiser

Homeless ECHO client 6 year-old Trinity Jordon enjoys a Thanksgiving meal with her mother and sister at the Big Bend Homeless Coalition on Pensacola Street in Tallahassee, Florida November 25, 2010.
Slideshow Photos: © Mark Wallheiser

“ONE WARM COAT” Drive, A National Effort Meeting Local Needs

ECHO is once again participating in the national ONE WARM COAT Drive put on by Burlington Coat Factory which began on  October 28th and will run through January.  The main goal of this initiative is to provide any person in need with a  warm coat, free of charge.  We find a significant need for children’s coats as they outgrow them so quickly. Because of your generosity ECHO clients here in our area will be able to stay warm during our cold Tallahassee weather.  Please stop by the Burlington Coat Factory or here at ECHO to donate any of your “extra” coats.  We also accept space heaters (in safe, working condition), gloves, hats, scarves, and blankets.  Sparing any of these mentioned items will make a BIG difference to those without.  THANK YOU!