Carbon County's Point in Time Count held in January turned up 10 unsheltered people in the area.

"The count was important because it establishes the dimensions of the problem of homelessness and help policymakers and program administrators track progress toward the goal of ending homelessness," according to Kellie Cummings of Carbon County Action Committee for Human Services.The Point in Time Count was a nationwide event that took place in late January in an effort to get a snapshot of the amount of unsheltered across the states.The information collected will be sent to Harrisburg to help persuade lawmakers to set aside funding for an emergency shelter or other programs to help combat the problem of homelessness."This count would not have been possible without the partnership between Carbon County Action Committee, Peaceful Knights, Family Promise, Career Link, The Shepherd House food pantry, and St. Peter's Community Resource Center," Cummings said.The committee also extended a thank you to the Zion UCC church in Lehighton, Christ Christian Church in Weissport, and St. John's Episcopal Church in Palmerton for providing a hot community meal on the night of the count for the teams of volunteers and for opening their doors for the homeless.Shepherd House food pantry, St. Joseph's food pantry, St. Peter's Community Resource Center and Grace St. Paul's church kept their doors open late during the count to allow anyone who was homeless to come in to be counted.The Jim Thorpe Market, True Value and My Little World 2 day care in Lehighton collected and made supply bags to be handed out to anyone found the night of the count.Cummings also extended an appreciation to the local media. Fifty-four volunteers assisted in the January count."A special thank you to all the volunteers that went out into the community or volunteered at the food pantries, churches, community centers and community meals," Cummings said.Another count will take place some time in late August. For anyone wanting to volunteer or donate resources contact Cummings at the Action Committee, 610- 377-6400.