COLLINGWOOD forward Travis Cloke has described his recent encounter with some of Melbourne's homeless population as one of the biggest eye-opening experiences of his life.

The burly goalkicker has wanted to help out the Salvation Army for some time, and for three hours last week got his chance to see just how tough life can be for those living on the streets.

With teammates Alan Toovey, Cameron Wood and Tyson Goldsack in tow, and rugged up against the chill of Melbourne's winter, Cloke spent time at the Salvation Army outreach van before travelling around to various locations to deliver food and warm drinks to the less fortunate.

The 24-year-old, who has recently moved into the city and out of the family home, met a variety of people who made a lasting impression.

There was the woman who, after he accidentally gave her sweet biscuits to go with the packaged cheese she'd requested, asked politely if she could swap her shortbread for crackers.

Instead of keeping the extra packet of biscuits, she insisted Cloke take them back as she didn't want to be seen taking more than she'd initially asked for.

There was the young man who had been living on the streets in Brisbane who had come to Melbourne to visit a friend nearly 12 months ago and was yet to find his way back home.

There were the people at the regular stations around town wearing shorts, t-shirts and lightweight clothing, which was a stark contrast to the knitwear, beanies and layers the Collingwood players had donned against the June night.

And, while most of the recipients of the Salvos' generosity were too shy to really open up about the quality of their lives, there were some who spoke of the sorts of places they slept in each night; quiet locations, usually isolated so they don't get 'hassled', such as alleyways and parks.

"Talking to them and hearing their story was just a massive eye opener. It was probably that point I realised we may actually have a problem here in Melbourne with homeless people," Cloke told afl.com.au this week.

"It's great to see the Salvos doing something about it and hearing the stories of people coming out the other side.

"Being 24, it's an age where you probably don't have your eyes wide open to the world and you probably don't think too much about that type of thing.

"But there were people from the age of 15 actually homeless and doing it tough … carrying all their clothes in a backpack.

"It was uncomfortable for us to be out in the cold for just those few hours but to understand these guys are going to sleeping out there and doing it that way, it's going to be a tough winter for them."

The four Magpies handed out blankets, food and drinks during their experience, and provided an ear for many to talk to.

Cloke said he was surprised by the level of camaraderie between some of the people; some of whom were waiting in groups of up to a dozen for the Salvos to arrive.

"It must be tough for them, but at the same time you speak to some and they've actually built some really great friendship with other people," he said.

"They're in the same types of circumstances so they stick together and they do things as best as they can, but it's a pretty tough life to be living.

"The things we take for granted, just having a roof over your head, going to bed every night, just being warm in bed, and having clothes, trackies, heaters ...

"These people don't have that and we just need to help them and make their life a bit easier."

Cloke says the four players are keen to extend their partnership with the Salvation Army and dedicate further nights to touring around the city and helping some of the 105,000 people who will sleep outside this winter.

"I suppose we're not going to make a difference, but just to put smiles on people's faces for the time being is great," he said.

"They get to relax and not think about what they've got to do that night to stay warm or where they're going to sleep.

"Just to have a bit of chat to them to let them know that while they're doing it hard, we're thinking of them and we're trying to do what we can to make their lives a little bit better, a little bit happier."

This Sunday, Collingwood will face Hawthorn at the MCG, which is the round 15 game that coincides with the Jason Bring a Blanket Day appeal - a campaign that encourages supporters to donate a new or clean blanket to be distributed to a homeless Victorian.

You can help by giving a blanket to someone in need this winter:

• Drop a new or clean blanket or donate $10 towards a blanket at the Collingwood v Hawthorn match at the MCG this Sunday
• Donate $10 towards a blanket at your local Crazy John’s store
• Donate on-line at facebook.com/bringablanketday or salvationarmy.org.au/jasonbringablanketday