"When you're without shelter, you can't just go inside when the bugs get bad," she said. The outreach team was down to three cans at one point last week.

According the state health department, continued exposure to mosquito bites puts the homeless population at greater risk for West Nile virus and related conditions.

Anyone interested in making a donation can drop items off at the VOA administrative offices, 511 W. 200 South, Suite 160, in Salt Lake.

The agency also has continuing need for financial aid, men's socks and underwear.

For more information about VOA assistance programs and how you can help, call 801-363-9414 or visit voaut.org online.

In Utah, VOA operates 10 programs serving more than 10,000 people a year in the areas of homeless outreach, substance abuse detoxification and treatment, housing case management, substance abuse prevention, domestic violence counseling and volunteer senior services.

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E-mail: jthalman@desnews.com