Hundreds seek help at 2026 Anchorage Homeless Connect
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - In 2025, a thousand people experiencing homelessness showed up for the annual Homeless Connect event at the Egan Center.
According to Jessica Parks with the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, which hosts the event, they had only prepared for 500 people and quickly ran out of supplies.
“Today we are prepared to see a thousand people plus,” Parks said on Monday. “We have 1,200 coats downstairs, so I’m hoping that we have a resource for everybody who shows up today.”
When the doors opened at 10 a.m. Monday, a long line of people stretched around the block.
The event is a one-stop shop for people experiencing homelessness to better prepare them for the coming winter. Parks said private sponsors, plus an $8,000 grant from the Municipality of Anchorage, paid for the event. In addition to cold weather gear, people could get state IDs, cellphones, sign up for food stamps, and explore housing opportunities.
“The resources that we have available here are ensuring that people know where the shelter beds are, where the recovery and treatment beds are, how to connect with healthcare providers, and that can be lifesaving in itself,” Parks said.
Del Bitonti, who was cutting hair and giving shaves on Monday, was one of more than 200 people working at the event. It was his second year as a volunteer and Bitonti had a steady stream of customers waiting for his chair. He said he didn’t mind working on his day off and enjoyed giving back.
“We got to show people we care,” Bitonti said. “At least make them feel seen, not forgotten. Even if it’s just for a day, you know.“
Parks said it takes a lot of volunteers to plan and run the event and could always use more. She encouraged those interested to check out the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness website and learn about volunteer opportunities there.
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