CHARLOTTE, N.C. — According to the Mecklenburg County Housing & Homelessness Dashboard, 2,664 people are experiencing homelessness county-wide.

A Charlotte fraternity is taking steps to raise awareness about this data while temporarily living outside.

What You Need To Know

  •  More than 2,500 people are experiencing homelessness across Mecklenburg County

  •  A Charlotte fraternity is raising awareness about the amount of people living without shelter by simulating a camp experience

  •  They're encouraging people to drop off donations during the camp to support those experiencing homelessness

The Charlotte Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., has set up "Kappa Tent City," outside its Kappa Hall property on Beatties Ford Road. It's a partnership between the fraternity and Hope Vibes Charlotte.

The camp is an opportunity for the Kappas to experience the challenges people living without shelter are facing daily.

For three days, Kappa members will be camping in tents while engaging in discussions about ways to help those experiencing homelessness.

Kevin Lattimore is one of several Kappas participating in the camp experience. He says this fits into the Kappa fraternity's mission to strengthen its communities.

"Our organization, Kappa Alpha Psi, was founded Jan 5, 1911 by 10 founders on the campus of Indiana University," Lattimore said. "A part of our initiative is inspiring community service. That's what brings us out here, making sure we are staying within what the founders wanted us to do- make an impact on our community, both in college and [beyond]. That's what we're here for."

He says it's important for his brothers and others to find solutions to prevent others from dealing with homelessness.

"Understand any of us could be homeless," Lattimore said. "I've heard of millionaires becoming homeless. We need to look at ways to mitigate this and one day end homelessness."

The Kappa camp name mirrors a former homeless encampment where people who lived near Uptown Charlotte had to leave due to a rat infestation.

"It was [a] quite inhumane situation they were living in," Latttimore said.

Lattimore says Kappa Tent City is about reminding residents that more than 2,500 people across Charlotte-Mecklenburg are currently experiencing homelessness.

Lattimore says understanding what others without a home are going through will motivate his brothers and others to find ways to help them.

"Part of that immersive experience is understanding there's no real safety while experiencing homelessness," Lattimore said. "Our homeless population is living out there with people who could have an intent to cause them harm or maybe not. But you never know."

Lattimore is calling on people who see the Kappa tents to take immediate action. He says community members can drive by and drop off donations at the Kappa Hall.

"It takes a community, or village, to have a real impact. With all of us together, there's more we can do to help our community," Lattimore said.

Lattimore says these acts of kindness could help someone who's trying to get out of homelessness.

The Kappas will be accepting donations at their camp, located at 5409 Beatties Ford Road, until Sunday. You're asked to drop off donations from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, and between 7 a.m. until noon on Feb. 19.

Kappa Alpha Psi is requesting the following items be donated (non-travel pack sizes):

  • Deodorant
  • Dove soap
  • Lotion
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Chapstick
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Body wipes
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Foot powder
  • Gloves, hats, scarves and socks
  • Toilet paper
  • Hand warmers
  • Laundry detergent
  • Multi-purpose spray