LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ahead of Thursday night's severe winter weather, several local outreach groups are delivering cold weather gear and other essentials to homeless Kentuckians.

Veterans Club and SOS International are distributing items like survival blankets, leg warmers, gloves, socks and other essentials to unsheltered populations in Louisville.

The powerful winter storm rolling through Thursday night will bring snow, intense winds and bitter cold to most of Kentucky, with subzero wind chills forecasted through Saturday.

Volunteers will begin on Jefferson Street near Wayside Christian Mission at 1 p.m. and work their way through the city until supplies run out, according to Jeremy Harrell with Veterans Club. SOS International was assembling and distributing personal care kits for the local homeless population. The kits include first aid supplies, personal care items and socks.

In Lexington, Lex End Homelessness activated its emergency weather plan, which provides overnight emergency shelters and day centers to keep vulnerable populations warm in extreme cold conditions. Mobile outreach teams will also take to the streets to care for anyone in need of warmth and shelter.

Lextran will offer free rides to shelters on all fixed routes. You can read the full Winter Weather Plan here.

Lexington's Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention has been working with partner agencies for several weeks to ensure there is space in shelters for people who may usually sleep outdoors. Residents who want to report seeing a person who appears to need shelter can call police at the non-emergency number, 859-258-3600 or contact the Compassionate Caravan at 859-913-0038.

Gov. Andy Beshear said his administration has been in contact with county officials across the state to help open warming centers for local residents in need, and Kentucky State Parks will also serve as a backup warming centers.