The Texarkana Homeless Coalition is gearing up for its third annual Bridge City Project, Jan. 26 to Jan. 27.
During the event, community-minded volunteers sleep outside in a box on an empty lot in Downtown Texarkana to experience first-hand the struggles the homeless population face each day.
The project also serves as a fundraiser. Those who raise $100 or more can opt not to stay the whole night.
Organizers hope to bring in $15,000 with this year's event. Proceeds will benefit direct service training and a scholarship fund.
"This is the coalition's community fundraising event and it's intended to bring education and awareness about the homeless community in Texarkana," said Alaina Marcum, PR and planning chair for the Texarkana Homeless Coalition. "We do that through spending the night in solidarity with the homeless."
The community is invited to attend a chili cook-off that starts at 5 p.m. The entry fee to participate is $25.
Other activities going on during the night include musical entertainment, stories from people who were homeless and a fireside chat with a guided discussion about poverty and homelessness.
"I think people will get a better understanding of how difficult it is to sleep outside for the night," Marcum said. "It hits a little closer to home exactly what somebody who had to spend the night outside goes through as far as trying to stay warm and be safe."
Local schools get involved by designing the boxes participants sleep in.
"We invite people to come try some chili, listen to the bands and if they can come spend the night out with us, they can expand their knowledge of what's going on in the community," Marcum said.
To register for the chili cook-off or to participate in the Bridge City Project, visit the web site at Eventbrite.com.
For more information, visit the Texarkana Homeless Coalition's Facebook page.