Loyola students tie blankets to protect homeless people against cold weather

By Sophie Zhang

More than 30 students joined Habitat for Humanity’s Loyola University branch  Feb. 24 to make fleece blankets for homeless people struggling to make it through yet another Chicago winter.

“One day I actually saw somebody using one of our blankets near Grant Park, and I felt like we were really doing something for them and the experience was really special,” said Khateeb Raza, president, whose organization gave out more than 20 blankets in 2015.

All the blankets were made using Loyola’s colors, maroon and gold.

“We want them to show some Loyola love and create a bonding”, said Alanna Kerstein, who helped organize the event.

An estimated 140,000 homeless people live in Chicago, according to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. Statewide, 48,000 people are served in government-funded shelters each year.

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Photo at top: Loyola’s Habitat for Humanity members believe the small effort of making and providing blankets helps people be aware of the living situation of homeless people in the city. (Sophie Zhang/MEDILL)