A group of Tamaqua area volunteers combed the area Wednesday in search of the homeless as part of the nationwide Point in Time Count.

Inside the Tamaqua Salvation Army building, volunteers prepared soup and sandwiches in the hopes that homeless people would stop in for a hot meal and warmth.By the end of the day, not a single homeless person stopped by the building."We didn't have anyone come in, and they didn't find anybody," said Major Sharon Whispell of the Tamaqua Salvation Army. "Point in Time is technically through (Friday) night, so (volunteer) Jesse (Durning) and his team will go out again this morning."The Point in Time Count is carried out in Schuylkill County to determine the number of homeless people in any given community.The effort is spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with the goal being to find ways to end homelessness.The Tamaqua Salvation Army was the meeting place for the Tamaqua area 2017 PIT count, as longtime volunteer Lorraine Durning and others were hard at work.The volunteers helped prepare ham and cheese sandwiches, turkey cheese sandwiches, chicken noodle soup, snacks, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea, among other items.While that was going on, volunteers took to the streets to encourage the homeless to come inside, get warm and have a warm meal.Information on ways to get off the streets was also made available."Most people don't realize there are a lot of homeless people," Whispell said. "They don't want people to see them."Whispell said some have mental issues, some may have lost their jobs, and some even have families with young children, while others are homeless through no choice of their own."Our goal is to find out where the homeless are, what their needs are, and what we can do to help them," she said. "If we can promote to the state and government that there is a need, maybe they can do something for them." Whispell said anyone who comes across someone they know is homeless should give them the number to call the Tamaqua Salvation Army. The number is 570-668-0410."Don't try to ignore it," she said. "Pick up a phone, give us a call, let us know so that we can try to help them."Whispell thanked those who were on hand and gave of their time to help.The count is vital to the success of local agencies, as it determines how funding will be distributed in the future to help those experiencing homelessness, or at imminent risk of being homeless.The funding allows nonprofit providers, and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families, while minimizing the trauma and dislocation those who are affected experience.It also allows agencies to educate and optimize self-sufficiency among those in homeless situations, ultimately contributing to the overall vitality and future growth of our hometowns.