It’s an annual manifestation of a man living his faith.

For the 20^th year, Pastor Eric Johns is giving up the comforts of home to live on the streets this holiday week. This year is projected to be one of the coldest Thanksgivings on record.

It's all in an effort to raise awareness and break stereotypes about the city's homeless population.

"We have a couple of married couples that come to church here every Sunday who are homeless. The reason they're not staying in a shelter is because they can't find a place that will take them together,” said Johns, pastor of the Buffalo Dream Center. “A lot of shelters take men or women. We're seeing a lot more women and families. Families that are maybe not homeless but eating in soup kitchens to take advantage of the programs that are out there to help the working poor.”

This has become somewhat of a family affair, as Pastor Johns’ sons, ages 14 and 15, as well as both of his sons-in-law will spend time with him overnight on the streets.

"When my brothers-in-law first came out, it was like okay, now you're part of the family,” Nathaniel Johns. “It's going to be a lot of fun, and we're going to meet a lot of new guys who can come to church with us and stuff.”

"I'm nervous about sleeping outside, but I've never been nervous about going on the streets and just talk with the homeless people,” Alexander Johns added. “Ever since I've been younger, we grew up helping the homeless people. We grew up listening to their stories. We grew up helping people in need, so I've always just had a desire in my heart to reach the people that need help."

The week on the streets is also to raise awareness about the Buffalo Dream Center's Boxes of Love program, which provides Christmas presents and meals to thousands of families in need. 

For more information, visit buffalodreamcenter.org.