News Photo by Julie Riddle Lisa Prescott, salesperson at Alpena Furniture, on Wednesday displays boxes saved by the business for use at a Nov. 4 Homeless Sleep Out in Alpena.

ALPENA — With more than 100 people in Northeast Michigan currently experiencing homelessness and winter drawing closer, workers at the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency invite residents to spend the night in a parking lot.

A small taste of the inconvenience of sleeping in a box in the cold could open eyes and, perhaps, inspire change, said Tarin Presler, NEMCSA housing resource specialist and head planner for a homelessness awareness sleep out scheduled for next week.

Appliance boxes provided by Alpena Furniture and tipped sideways in the NEMCSA parking lot will provide some shelter to those participating in the Friday night event, but the night could be cold, and the experience won’t be particularly fun, Presler acknowledged.

Then again, homelessness isn’t fun, she said.

A fire pit will provide some warmth, and cheerful NEMCSA workers participating in the event will help keep the evening lively, but Presler hopes a not-entirely pleasant night in a box gives participants time to reflect on the struggles of those around them.

Such experiences move people to advocate for an end to homelessness, Presler said.

“Everybody’s so hustle and bustle all the time,” Presler said. “In our quiet moments in our boxes, you really realize what is important and how to meet people where they’re at.”

Organizers hope for good attendance at this year’s event. NEMCSA staff plan to stick it out, however cold or damp the evening becomes, Presler said.

Homelessness in Northeast Michigan may not look like people sleeping in the open or in boxes, she said.

“We work with people in tents. In campers. In cars,” Presler said. “You could pass by a house that has a camper in the yard and you’d never know that there’s a family of four living in there.”

The agency planned the event to kick off Homeless Awareness Month, marked each November by the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness.

Throughout the month, NEMCSA will collect blankets and winter wear, especially for adults.

Last year, the agency provided blankets to more than 100 households moving out of homelessness and into homes, Presler said.

For those not yet in homes, blankets, coats, and other winter gear can help stave off the coming cold and help those sleeping in their cars save on the gas they might otherwise use to keep warm, she said.

Presler hopes those who can’t stay overnight still stop by the sleep out to ask questions and learn what they could do to help.

“That’s one more person that’s informed that homelessness is a real problem,” she said.

The more people intentionally educate themselves about homelessness, the more they’ll feel empowered to get involved in efforts to solve the problem, she said.

Those who attend the sleepover will have to leave behind their televisions and couches, a few hours’ boredom offering only a glimpse of evenings that can stretch long with no Netflix or other luxuries for those with no living rooms.

Little experiences of that sort might mean an extra measure of compassion the next time participants see someone who looks like they need five minutes to warm up in a local business because they have no place to call home, Presler said.

Lisa Prescott, salesperson at Alpena Furniture, said the whole community benefits when businesses get behind efforts that support people in need.

“Any of us could be in that position in the blink of an eye,” Prescott said.

Events like the sleep out remind those who participate to appreciate what they have, she added.

“You have a roof over your head,” Prescott said. “You have food. You have heat. You’re not doing too bad.”

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693, jriddle@thealpenanews.com or on Twitter @jriddleX.

If you go

WHAT: Homeless Sleep Out to promote homelessness awareness

WHEN: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. or earlier, Nov. 4

WHERE: Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency parking lot, 2569 U.S.-23 South, Alpena

HOW MUCH: Free

INFO: Bring sleeping bag, pillow, blankets, and other desired items to stay warm. Bring snacks if desired. Those unable to spend the entire night may come and go as desired. Boxes provided. Donations of blankets or winter gear accepted.