Local Service Agencies Meet Needs Of Clients During Cold Temperatures
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Local agencies have seen an increase in need of their services as temperatures have gone into the single digits. Fellowship Missions, a homeless shelter that provides shelter for men, women and children has seen an increase in services needed as a result of cold temperatures, according to Eric Lane, Fellowship Missions executive director. The homeless shelter for men is at 425 S. Buffalo St. A shelter for women and children is at 337 N. Buffalo St. Lane said 16 beds at the men’s shelter are full and there are cots and sleeping bags available for additional men who stay at the shelter. Prior to the cold temperatures, the shelter had been housing 14 men a night. There were four children and seven women staying at the shelter on North Buffalo Street Tuesday night and the same number Monday night. Prior to the cold temperatures, there were 12 to 13 women and children staying at the shelter. Fellowship Missions has implemented a winter weather policy that states anyone who comes in to the shelter needing assistance will be taken in. Those who stay at the shelter are offered a bed, food, hygiene products and a shower. “Our goal is to make sure those who stay at the shelter become self-sufficient,” Lane said. Combined Community Services staff delivered food to four families who could not get out due to the cold Tuesday, according to Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, CCS director of client assistance. CCS served 640 families with food services in November, and offered its Adopt A Family program in December where the community purchased items for families in need. Lisenbee-Wright said there has been a steady need for food and clothing services by clients this month. CCS offers a food pantry Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Salvation Army has made a warming center available at its facility at 501 E. Arthur St. that is offered Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. Esteban Pommier, Salvation Army officer, said the organization is thankful its pantry shelves are stocked from Christmas season donations. Our Father’s House served 70 meals on Monday and 40 meals Tuesday during its lunch program. The lunch program is offered Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Our Father’s House also offers a food pantry on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Roz Morgan, Our Father’s House founding director, said since January there have been 30 skids of dairy products that have been distributed by Our Father’s House to those in need. “We have had those who visit our food pantry wait in line in the dining room instead of outside in the cold while they wait for services,” Morgan said.
