Business owner collects items for families in need

A local business owner is making an effort to help Madison’s homeless stay warm during these extreme temperatures.

Tim Metcalfe of Metcalfe’s Market is collecting items to help families in need.

He said a post on his Facebook page asking for items like hats, gloves, blankets, boots and backpacks went viral, and his office has been inundated with donations.

“People are now coming in hourly with bags of blankets and sleeping bags, and boots and gloves, and kids hats, sweaters, jackets — you name it; hand warmers, toothpaste,” Metcalfe said.

Metcalfe, Boys and Girls Club CEO Michael Johnson and the group Friends of the State Street Family plan to go out Thursday night and hand out items to those in need. They are dubbing the effort Madison Homeless Outreach.

Several big corporations like Lands’ End, Target and Walmart have also stepped up to help.

Anyone who wants to donate items can drop them off at the service desk at either the Metcalfe’s in Hilldale or Metcalfe’s West Towne off of Mineral Point Road.