New project crowdsources help for Toronto's homeless

It's been a brutal winter in Toronto -- particularly for those without shelter. The extreme temperatures have played a role in at least three deaths this winter and placed extra strain on the city's already-spread thin shelter system, and though the city has announced more beds for women and LGBTQ youth and converted motels into temporary shelters, Toronto's homeless population remains perpetually at risk.

City Of Sleeping Bags is the brainchild of two university students hoping to lend a hand. Recognizing that many are shut out of shelters due to lack of space (as well as mental illness, safety concerns and other factors), they mounted a campaign to distribute 100 sleeping bags to people who need them. The bags are portable and easily rolled up, and come with a detachable blanket for use in the summertime. To help them reach their fundraising goal of $5,000, head to Indiegogo.

Photo by Jeremy Gilbert in the blogTO Flickr pool.