El Equipo’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside” event was held Saturday afternoon at Joy Fellowship Church, where the group handed out gathered donations of warm clothes, hygiene products and warm meals to those in need.

Group president Bethany Pigman said they look to raise awareness and help community members with events like this, especially in some areas where people might be forgotten.

“We want to help,” Pigman said. “People think about the homeless during Thanksgiving or Christmas but once we hit the new year they get forgotten again until that time comes back around, and so we chose to do something in February when others are not helping them.”

El Equipo founder, Jason Skinner, added that this event was not only for the homeless but for community members who may be struggling financially as well. The event also involved members and volunteers dropping off pre-made meals at the homeless shelters, including the UCAN City Mission men’s shelter on First Street, women’s shelter on Lafayette Street and the warming shelter on Washington Street.

Above, El Equipo held an event over the weekend to provide meals and warm clothing to members of the community who are homeless or in need.

Many donated items came from local businesses, and El Equipo expressed their thanks to said businesses, including Fattys, AJs Texas Hots, A Slice of Home, Honest John’s, Art of flavor, Leafy Lounge, Subway, the employees at Chronic Link, and El Jarocho.

This event is something Pigman said they will definitely do again, and the group already has two other events planned for April, including a Prom Wear Giveaway and Autism Awareness Event at Jackson Taylor Park.

Skinner said their group is open to everyone and anyone who may need help, and they are currently working on finding a permanent location to call home and to become an official nonprofit organization.

“We are open to everyone,” Skinner said. “People can feel free to reach out to us for anything. We’re trying to become a nonprofit so we can get funding to continue to help people, and we are also looking for a place to call home and to provide services.”

Pigman added to that, saying that they have a wide variety of members with many different resources that come together to share them, and that people should always feel welcome to reach out with their needs.

Items for the event were donated from local businesses. Submitted photos

El Equipo can be found on TikTok or Facebook, which includes messenger, or by contacting Pigman or Skinner directly at 716-723-6153 and 716-294-4274 respectively.