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COLUMBIA (WACH/AP) -- Volunteers are spreading out across South Carolina to count the number of homeless people in the state.

The count will begin Thursday night, with organizers hoping it will help get a grasp of how big the homeless problem is in South Carolina and how much help is needed.

Volunteers will count people in shelters as well as those sleeping under bridges, in parks or in other outside areas.

The count is being coordinated by the South Carolina Homeless Coalition.