CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — The Clarion Shelter Task Force will be holding a soup luncheon on Wednesday, January 23.
The luncheon — which will include a variety of soups along with salad, rolls, cookies, and drinks — will be held in the basement conference room at the Human Services Building at 214 South 7th Avenue, Clarion, Pa.
All soups will be made and donated by local community members and restaurants.
The cost for the luncheon is donation only. All donations received will benefit homeless and at-risk individuals in Clarion County.
The luncheon coincides with the Point in Time Count which is a statewide single night count of the homeless.
Formally known as the “Point-In-Time Survey of the Unsheltered Homeless,” the count seeks to identify the number of homeless individuals across the state between the evening hours of January 23rd and the morning hours of January 24th. Anyone who is homeless, or anyone who knows someone who is homeless, is encouraged to call the task force and give information about the situation and receive advice on how they can receive help.
While many may wonder what homelessness actually looks like in Clarion County compared to higher populated metropolitan areas, Jennifer Krouse, a case manager for Clarion County Adult Services and Homeless Assistance Program and Head Chair Person of the Clarion County Shelter Task Force, explained to exploreClarion that homelessness can take on many different forms. Especially in rural areas such as Clarion County.
“Clarion County doesn’t typically see on the street homeless individuals, especially in late January,” explained Krouse. “We do, however, see many people doubled-up with friends and family, often ‘couch-surfing’ or bouncing from one residence to another.”
“We are fortunate to have programs to help people become sheltered in Clarion County, including Center For Community Resources, Community Action, and SAFE (Domestic Violence and Bridge House). People may be surprised to know that these housing programs are usually full, which means there is a need.”
For the Point in Time Count, Krouse explained that there are specific HUD requirements that must be met for individuals to be included in the count.
“The sheltered individuals are counted separately (from) sheltered. For the purposes of the unsheltered count, we are required to use HUD’s definition of homeless which does not include doubled-up individuals. However, depending on the year, we often do find people who are living unsheltered. Anyone who knows of a person living on the streets, in the woods, in a tent or camper, etc., is encouraged to reach out to us, not only on the night of the count, but anytime.”
Funds raised by Clarion Shelter Task Force are tax-deductible as they are a 501c nonprofit through the Bridge Builders Community Foundation. Funds are used to assist county residents in need with items such as household repairs, extermination costs, obtaining ID’s, and birth certificates needed to go into public housing, and much more.
For more information on the luncheon or to donate to the Clarion Shelter Task Force, contact Krouse at 814-226-9280.
