A local tattoo shop owner is using his business to spread good this holiday season, collecting donated winter clothing items and handing them out to the homeless. In exchange for donations, he's giving credit for free tattoos.

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WEBVTT BARTH HAS THIS NEW STORY. >> INK LINK TATTOO. REPORTER: FAR BEYOND FRESH INK. WILLIAM HINNANT’S STUDIO IS A LINK FOR THE COMMUNITY. >> IF EVERYBODY WOULD HELP SOMEBODY THEN THERE WOULD BE A LOT LESS SUFFERING. REPORTER: HINNANT AND HIS WIFE PACK UP THEIR CAR OUTSIDE THE SHOP AT 13TH AND JACKSON. >> WE MIGHT HAVE TO OPEN THE TRUNK, YEAH? REPORTER: SEATS PILED WITH COATS AND A TRUNK FULL OF SHOES. >> NEW BOOTS FOR ALL KIND OF PEOPLE HERE. REPORTER: THEY’RE HEADED TO GENE LEAHY MALL WHERE MANY GATHER FOR A WARM MEAL ON A COLD WINTER MORNING. >> YOU NEED A COAT? WHAT SIZE ARE YOU, BUD? REPORTER: THANKS TO HINNANT, THEY’LL LEAVE WITH WARM CLOTHES, TOO. >> THANK YOU. OF COURSE, MAN. >> I GOT SOME BOOTS MAN AND SOME SOCKS, ’CAUSE THESE SHOES ARE SOAKED. I WAS ON THE STREETS LAST NIGHT AND FROZE. REPORTER: HINNANT STARTED HELPING THE HOMELESS WHEN HE OPENED HIS BUSINESS FIVE YEARS AGO. HIS FOCUS IS ON THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE LACK OF SUPPORT FOR THEM. >> IT’S VERY VERY DEEP IN MY HEART TO HELP PEOPLE. REPORTER: HIS HEART IS FULL OF UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE HE’S BEEN THERE, TOO. >> I WAS HOMELESS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER. I WAS RUNNING FROM MY DEMONS AND OMAHA CHANGED MY LIFE AND PUT ME IN A POSITION TO WHERE I CAN ACTUALLY TRY TO UPLIFT OTHER PEOPLE. REPORTER: THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON, HINNANT’S SHOP LOBBY IS FULL OF SUPPLIES. >> HAND WARMERS, REGULAR SOCKS, YOU GOT ALL KIND OF SOCKS, BEANIES, STUFF LIKE THAT. REPORTER: MANY OF THEM DONATED BY CLIENTS. ITEMS OLD AND NEW. >> I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE GOING OUT AND SPENDING THEIR OWN MONEY. THEY’RE BRINGING IN BRAND NEW STUFF. REPORTER: THERE’S AN INCENTIVE, TOO. FOR EACH COAT BUNDLE OF SOCKS OR PACK OF UNDERWEAR DONATED, HINNANT AND HIS ARTISTS GIVE $20 TOWARD A TATTOO. >> THEY’RE GETTING A TATTOO IN RETURN, BUT THEY’RE DOING IT FOR A GOOD CAUSE. >> WE’RE GIVING FOR CHRISTMAS, BRO. >> THANK YOU, MAN. REPORTER: SO MANY ITEMS, THERE’S ENOUGH FOR HINNANT AND HIS TEAM TO GO OUT EACH DAY. >> TAKE TWO OF THOSE, OK? >> THANK YOU. >> HERE’S A COUPLE PAIR OF SOCKS FOR YOU. >> GOD BLESS YOU, GOD BLESS YOU, BROTHER. REPORTER: SPREADING WARMTH AND RECEIVING GRATEFUL SMILES IN RETURN. >> IT’S GOOD. >> I APPRECIATE IT, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> IT DOES FEEL GOOD TO HELP PEOPLE BUT IT ALSO JUST MAKES YOU REALIZE YOU KNOW HOW MUCH PEOPLE NEED. REPORTER: THAT’S WHY HINNANT DOESN’T PLAN TO QUIT. >> TWO PAIRS FOR YOU. KEEP IT GOING, YOU KNOW, CUZ THE WINTER IS A LONG WAY FROM OV

Advertisement Tattoo shop owner collects clothing donations for homeless A local tattoo shop owner is using his business to spread good this holiday season, collecting donated winter clothing items and handing them out to the homeless. In exchange for donations, he's giving credit for free tattoos. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A local tattoo shop owner is using his business to spread good this holiday season, collecting donated winter clothing items and handing them out to the homeless. In exchange for donations, he's giving credit for free tattoos.William Hinnant's studio, the Ink Link Tattoo Co., has a fitting name. Far beyond fresh link, the shop has become a link for homeless people in the community."If everybody would help somebody, then there would be a lot less suffering," Hinnant said.On a freezing December morning, Hinnant and his wife packed up their car outside the shop near 13th and Jackson streets. The seats were piled with coats and the trunk was filled with shoes. The two headed to the Gene Leahy Mall, where many people gather for a warm meal. Thanks to Hinnant, many left with warm clothes, too."I got some boots man, and some socks because these shoes are soaked," said John Miller, who received donated items from Hinnant. "I was on the streets last night and froze."Hinnant started helping the homeless when he opened his business five years ago. His focus is on those who are not only homeless, but struggle with mental illness."There are so many homeless in Omaha that are homeless because of their mental health issues that don't have access to the housing and the shelters," Hinnant said. "It's very, very deep in my heart to help people."His heart is full of understanding, too, because he's been in their shoes."I was homeless when I was younger," Hinnant said. "I was running from my demons and Omaha changed my life and put me in a position to where I can actually try to uplift other people."This Christmas season, Hinnant's shop lobby is full of supplies."Hand warmers, regular socks, you got all kind of socks, beanies, stuff like that," Hinnant said.Many of the items are donated by clients."I mean people are going out and spending their own money," Hinnant said. "They're bringing in brand-new stuff."There's an incentive for them. For each coat, bundle of socks, pack of underwear or other key items, Hinnant and his artists give the person who donated them $20 toward a tattoo at Ink Link."They're getting a tattoo in return, but they're doing it for a good cause," Hinnant said.So many items have been donated that there's often enough for Hinnant and his team to go out each day. They spread warmth to people on the streets and receive grateful smiles in return."It does feel good to help people, but it also just makes you realize, you know, how much people need," Hinnant said.That's why he doesn't plan to quit."Keep it going, you know, because the winter is a long way from over," Hinnant said.People can drop off donations at Ink Link during business hours. The biggest need is men's coats. Hinnant has handed out more than 300 coats in just two weeks.People can receive $20 tattoo credit for each big item they bring in, which includes socks, gloves, hats, underwear and boots.