Bad weather doesn't negate the needs of the homeless poor for food, blankets and clothes. In fact, those needs tend to intensify. Here are some guidelines regarding weather:

• If conditions are too hazardous to drive a van, then find a four-wheel-drive vehicle and load whatever you can.


• You'll likely need to reduce the size of your group, and in most cases will want to leave the teenagers at home and take adults only.


• Pare down your supplies to the items that take up less space. Bring bag meals, hats, gloves, socks, t-shirts and underwear, and try to include a few coats and blankets for the most urgent cases.