While many people are preoccupied with last-minute Christmas shopping this week, a select few in the community do not know where they will sleep Christmas Eve, let alone have presents to open in the morning.

It’s people like these, some organizations, such as the Multi-Service Center, are trying to help this winter season.

“We do everything we can to get people into housing with the resources we have and the eligibility we have to work with,” Multi-Service Center CEO Robin Corak said. “I think having the day shelter helps during the day, but, of course, at night time, when it is really cold, that is a challenge because there’s certainly more needs than there are resources.”

The Multi-Service Center serves about 47,000 people each year through its Federal Way, Kent and Burien offices’ various fundraising events and efforts. While the need is greatest during the holiday and winter season, Corack said this is also the time of year more people open their hearts and give.

“There’s definitely an increase,” Corak said. “We certainly have spikes when we have our events, too, but, in terms of general giving, yes, and I think people tend to want to do that towards the end of the year. That’s also when our annual appeal goes out, and we’re very fortunate because we have a lot of community organizations and businesses think about us during the holiday time as well.”

This year, the Multi-Service Center has received about $35,000 through holiday giving.

Through their Warm Hearts Winter Drive, Columbia Bank branches in Federal Way, Kent and Renton have so far raised $1,900 for the Multi-Service Center. The funds from the drive will help support homeless services, including an emergency shelter, food, clothing and assistance programs.

Last year, the center received just more than $2,000 from the drive. This year, the bank’s goal is to raise $160,000 for homeless individuals in the Northwest. Citing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Columbia Bank reports homelessness in the Northwest has increased 6 percent since last year.

Corak said other notable donations have helped pay for food and basic household items for the William J. Wood Veterans House that just opened.

“Everything from plates to dishes, hygiene kits, cleaning kits, food through our food bank, especially through our holiday distribution of food where they get extra food and something special,” Corak said, listing where and what donations go toward. “Sometimes we’re able to, with those donations, we also add to the amount of diapers and formula that we can give out during the holiday time.”

For its first holiday season, couple Karen and Dan Clark donated a Christmas tree to the veterans house, which has already reached full occupancy.

Other businesses have helped in special ways, such as holding sock drives or accepting donations that are later given to the center, in exchange for holiday photos.

Corak said donations go toward replenishing the Multi-Service Center’s food and clothing bank. The food bank serves anyone living in the Federal Way school district, while the clothing bank is open to anyone in South King County.

Corak said homeless people who come in receive a street bag, which includes food that doesn’t require cooking in a stove or oven in order to eat. They also typically receive hygiene kits, as well.

To help prevent homelessness, King County awarded the Multi-Service Center $150,000 through the King County Youth and Family Homelessness Prevention Initiative.

“The Best Starts for Kids Youth and Family Homelessness Prevention Initiative is a critical tool in our mission to end homelessness and extreme generational poverty,” King County Councilman Pete von Reichbauer, who represents Federal Way on the County Council, said. “Nonprofits such as the Multi-Service Center provide essential services to families in South King County, helping to prevent homelessness before it starts and working with families to realize their full potential.”

The money will help families who are “on the verge of being homeless” by providing clothes for a job, help with rent and more.

“It will give us some flexible dollars with support services to prevent homelessness,” Corak said. “So, it could be rent assistance, it could be transportation – gas vouchers or bus passes – and it will also fund a full-time case manager so we can work with individuals who are referred to the program and figure out what their needs are and how we can best help them meet their needs.”

According to King County, the initiative is the first strategy funded by the Best Starts for Kids levy, which is expected to collect $400 million in its six years.

“We are very grateful to the community for all of the support they give us,” Corak said.

For more information, or to donate toward the Multi-Service Center, visit mschelps.org.

Robin Corak, the executive Director for the Multi-Service Center, stands with Councilman Pete von Reichbauer in this contributed photo. The Multi-Service Center is one of the agencies that will be receiving funds from the Youth and Family Homelessness Prevention Initiative that is part of the Best Starts for Kids Levy. Courtesy of King County