Historically, Schuylkill County has had a poor record in addressing the needs of the homeless.

The county of 146,920 has no permanent homeless shelter.In fact, the county hasn't even been able to come up with a way to find the homeless.But that situation might change.On Jan. 29, Schuylkill County will try to put a number to the issue a first step, perhaps, to address immediate needs of food, clothing and shelter for those down on their luck.In our area, the homeless are encouraged to visit the Tamaqua Regional Salvation Army Community Center, 105 W. Broad St., to be included in the count.A meal will be served 5 p.m.But if you're cold and homeless, you don't need to wait until the 29th to find comfort.The Salvation Army offers a warming center daily until 4 p.m.If you know someone who's homeless, please help them get to the Salvation Army.Despite a stigma associated with homelessness, there's no shame attached to the distinction.A homeless person is simply somebody who needs help. It's a man, woman or family who've fallen on misfortune.It could happen to any of us.It can happen through job loss, divorce, illness or mental health issues.Believe it or not, some of the homeless are veterans who gave service to our country.This is something that just shouldn't happen.It's time for all counties to make the homeless a priority.Spiritualist Mahatma Ghandi said: "You can judge a society by how they treat their weakest members."It's a theme repeated through the history of mankind.Greek philosopher Aristotle put it this way: "You can judge a nation by the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens."They're the sick, the poor, the dying, the hated, the unpopular, the diseased, the weak and yes, the homeless.We live in a day when people and their government don't think twice about spending major funds to build elaborate sports arenas and grand monuments.Maybe it's time to reconsider the needs and reassess our values.Maybe it's time to establish a homeless shelter, not just one, but several, to serve the entire county.Schuylkill County is pursuing noble ideals in the upcoming mission.The initiative deserves everybody's support and cooperation.But let's not stop at simply counting the homeless.Let's put a face to the issue and do something to help.By DONALD R. SERFASSdserfass@tnonline.com