Time to Bundle Up
Though the frost isn't even on the pumpkin yet, Butler County aid agencies are gearing up for the coming winter.
But people in need of a coat or a warm place to sleep during the approaching colder months should know some changes have been made to certain programs.
For instance, Bundle Up Butler, which offers coats, hats, gloves and scarfs to those in need, has changed the way the clothing is distributed, said Erin McGarrity, coordinator for both the Center for Community Resources and the Butler Collaborative for Families, who oversees the program, now entering its fourth year.
This month there will be a one-day giveaway from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church at the corner of Jefferson and Washington streets.
In the past, those in need of warm clothing would have been able to pick up a coat or scarf at the Center for Community Resources, 212 S. Main St., at any time during the winter.
“The change was to make it a little bit easier on us. Throughout the year, we would have people coming and going at the center,” McGarrity said.
“We hope that everybody will hear about this day and get their coat at the beginning of winter instead of waiting until January when they've already had a few months of coldness and didn't have a coat,” McGarrity said.
“There are no eligibility requirements, and if you received a coat last year, you can still get another one this year,” she said.
Parents can pick up coats for their children without the children being present.
“If someone misses this day, if they had to work, they can contact the center at 724-431-3748 and they can sign up for a coat and be placed on a waiting list,” said McGarrity.
“Attending the event is no no guarantee you will get a coat. If they don't have your size, your name will be put on a waiting list and you will be contacted when a coat is available,” she said.
McGarrity said the agencies gave away 500 coats last year, an inventory that was boosted by donations from member agencies of the Collaborative for Families, local churches, schools and businesses.
McGarrity said she hopes the clothing stocks will keep up with the demand.
“Every, every year it has grown significantly. The first year, we gave out, I want to say, 50 coats,” McGarrity said.
She attributed the increased demand to both more individuals in need and more awareness of the program.
There also will be changes this year at Butler's winter shelter for the homeless at the Net Outreach Building, 100 Center Ave., said Bill Halle, CEO of Grace Youth and Family Foundation.
Unlike last year when the shelter only opened between Nov. 15 and March 31 on nights when the temperature dipped to 27 degrees or below, this year the shelter will be open from Nov. 15 through March 31 no matter what the temperature.
“We had 191 vouchers last year. We actually served 104 males and 27 females,” Halle said. “Some of those were duplicated, so the total served was 131.”
Halle said last year's shelter visitors ranged in age from 18 to 69.
He said the shelter will open at 8:30 p.m. and close at 8 a.m. Men and women sleep segregated and families will have their own area, he said.
“We have four floors here, so capacity won't be a problem,” he said.Halle said candidates have to be referred to the shelter by Catholic Charities or the crisis department of the Center for Community Resources. The shelter won't admit walk-ins, he said.Halle said those staying at the shelter get more than a cot for the night.“They get a dinner meal; they get breakfast. They get a pack of personal care items, a blanket they get to keep and then they are normally transported to Catholic Charities,” Halle said.“Seventy percent of the people wind up receiving long-term help. The other 30 percent are transients. Some others may have other needs,” Halle said.Deacon Cliff Homer, the chief operating officer for Catholic Charities in Butler County, said the county made a smart decision in picking his agency as lead for homelessness problems.“Butler County did it right. Instead of having multiple agencies duplicating efforts, Catholic Charities was designated the central intake agency for all of Butler County,” Homer said.He added people in need of shelter are referred to Catholic Charities by police departments, soup kitchens and other agencies across the county.Homer said his agency has two case mangers who work with the shelter guests to achieve a long-term solution.Amy Judy, the program coordinator for Catholic Charities, said, “Quite often we work with the Center for Community Resources, the VA, the housing authority and different mental health groups to provide the appropriate help.”But more people getting helps means more pressure to maintain the programs.“We more than doubled our first-year numbers the second year,” Halle said. “and this year the fact that we are open every night will increase that.”Halle said the shelter is trying to build a base of people who are willing to donate money or time to insure the shelter's operation.“The shelter is run by donations, but there is money that is provided through the county by the local housing options team, and the rest by fundraising by different people in the Collaborative,” he said.Halle said the shelter has a list of items it needs, items that can dropped off at the Net Outreach Building.During periods of severe winter weather, the American Red Cross also will open warming centers for both daylight and overnight purposes, said Lauren Ashley of the Red Cross.“If there is a need, we will work with the municipalities and officials that will open up shelters,” said Ashley.“Sometimes it is supplying volunteers and sometimes it is supplying supplies such as cots. It depends on where the need is,” she said.
Bill Halle, founder and CEO of Grace Youth and Family Foundation which houses the warming shelter in the Net Outreach Building at 100 Center Ave., said the shelter needs the following donations.Halle said donations may be left at the Net Outreach Building.<B>PERSONAL CARE ITEMS </B>Twin-size blankets (no comforters, throws or small child sizes)1 gallon zip-close bagsPlain white washclothsToothbrushesPersonal travel/trial sizes of toothpaste, antibacterial bar soap, regular shampoo, unisex unscented deodorant, tissue packs, lip balm, hand lotion and hand sanitizer<B>FOOD ITEMS</B>Breakfast: Frozen breakfast sandwiches (such as ham or sausage); breakfast bars (variety pack)Dinner: Canned stew; chili; ravioli; spaghetti; canned soup (ready to eat, not condensed) such as potato, chicken noodle and beef vegetable; single serving packaged macaroni and cheese.Snacks: Peanut butter or cheese crackersDrinks: Bottled water, juice boxes (nonrefrigerated).
The Old Farmer's Almanac calls for the first snow to fall in the area between Nov. 5 to 7 this year. Snow showers are predicted for Nov. 12 to 14 and again between Nov. 28 and 30.Winter will be colder and drier than normal, with below-normal snowfall. The coldest periods will be in December, early January, and early February, with the snowiest periods in early December and early March.
