PARKERSBURG - As part of National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, a local agency has planned a reality walk in downtown Parkersburg to spread awareness about homelessness.

Wood County Family Resource Network will lead a group of people on a walk to area agencies where the homeless population gather and receive services. The walk will take place Nov. 21 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Trent Holbert, engagement specialist with P.A.T.H. (Project to Assist in the Transition of Homelessness), said the group will visit several downtown agencies and listen to the stories of people who have been homeless in Parkersburg. It is a chance to experience homelessness first-hand, said Holbert.

"The whole purpose of this walk is to give the general public some sort of awareness about this issue," he said. "Hopefully, when people actually see and accept the facts, they will want to get involved in a small way. And we're hoping individuals who are experiencing homelessness will join us and see all the resources available to them."

The group will visit Community Resources, the Salvation Army, Extreme Ministries and the Department of Health and Human Resources where they will learn how easy it can be to become homeless.

Holbert, who will be leading the group, said a woman who was homeless in Parkersburg for nine months will speak to the group about her experience.

Katrina Nelson became homeless at the age of 17 after her father died. By using the resources available to her, Nelson was able to earn her GED and break free from the system. She works at the Children's Home Society of West Virginia.

Nelson, along with a few others who have been homeless, will accompany the group and tell their stories, Holbert said.

Representatives from area agencies said the walk will be an awakening experience to the public.

"The number of youths experiencing homelessness in the Wood County area is astonishing," said Lisa Doyle Parsons with the Children's Home Society. "Wearing blinders doesn't make our numbers smaller, nor change the reality of the youth impacted by homelessness. The community needs to open their eyes and realize the problem exists. To do anything else is unexceptable."

Parsons said in September, 94 individuals under the age of 21 received services from the Children's Home Society.

At the conclusion of the walk, participants will have dinner at Old Man Rivers Mission while interacting with the homeless population.

The group will visit areas along the river where the homeless gather and sleep.

Inda Greathouse with Peer Support Inc. said her view of the homeless situation changed after she participated in the bi-annual Wood County homeless count.

"Until I went on my first homeless count with the Continuum of Care, homeless was just homeless. But after seeing the beds, toys and people in the cold, homeless had a whole new meaning," said Greathouse. "I had no idea how many people in our area were without shelter and heat - things people take for granted every day."

More than 50 people have registered for the walk. Holbert said he is gathering sociology students from West Virginia University at Parkerburg who are interested in participating.

The walk is free, but participants are encouraged to bring a pair of gloves or a hat to give as a donation.

To register, call or visit the Family Resources Network on Market Street at 304-420-9574.