LOCAL charity Defenders for Hope have appealed to Beaudesert and Logan residents to donate spare blankets and food for the homeless.
The organisation's programs manager Kathy Smith said homelessness was increasingly prevalent in Beaudesert and Logan.
'For the past six months we've had more and more people come in, often it's people who can't get a rental," she said.
'We've had a mother with two kids living in a car, using the local gym to shower ... she goes to work and the kids go to school.
"Hopefully we're going to find a place with a shower ... we're looking at places so we can offer that service."
Ms Smith said Defenders for Hope, which is based in Logan Village and Hillcrest, had been working with other service providers by handing out deodorants, personal hygiene packs, food hampers and blankets.
"We just started working with New Care that does the barbecue down at Jubilee Park," she said.
"They help out by delivering our program, blankets and personal stuff as well.
"But I've just run out of blankets."
Ms Smith said food items were also needed.
"We've been dropping off food hampers but we need things that people don't have to microwave or heat up because a lot of people don't have those facilities," she said.
"Basically it's food they can eat out of a can like baked beans and spaghetti or snacks and stuff just to keep them going.
"We do have frozen meals that we heat up and take them out to places like Jubilee Park and Logan Village. We have volunteers who do that three times a week."
Ms Smith said Brisbane charity Orange Sky was also helping out with their free mobile laundry service for the homeless.
"We've also got a washing machine and dryer at Logan Village people can use, especially those who are living in cars or tents.
"The beautiful community we live in, if there's a spare blanket they don't use, we'd love them to donate it at one of our shops.
Ms Smith said the shops were located at 10 Industrial Avenue, Logan Village and 108 Anzac Avenue, Hillcrest.
Beaudesert donations can be dropped off at QML Radiology in Beaudesert Fair.
Defenders for Hope OP shops and Ms Smith said every purchase makes a difference.
"Our customers come to our store to find amazing bargains and in the process, support our mission," she said.
"If we have a family in crisis, we can provide them with everything to make their situation bearable and if they are homeless, once we are able to help them attain housing, we can provide them with basic needs."
"Proceeds from the sales help support the programs for families we serve."
