The roots of Karen Olson’s activism can be surmised in a single anecdote: Olson brought a sandwich to a woman experiencing homelessness and lent an ear to hear her plight and empathized with her struggle.

That experience led Olson to plant the seed of what is now a national organization, called Family Promise, with multiple affiliates throughout the country, one of which sits right in Carbon County.

“Family Promise’s model is about giving back to the community and making sure the family stays together,” said Jonathan Blackwell-Rodgers, executive director of Family Promise of Carbon County.

Family Promise of Carbon County is affiliated with 26 local churches which provide shelter, hot meals and networking opportunities to homeless families. It also operates a day center, where families can do laundry and have access to shower centers.

But financially, the year has proved rough for the organization.

Blackwell-Rodgers said in January 2018, Family Promise of Carbon County found that the $45,000 it typically receives through the Emergency Solutions Grant — which is distributed by the Housing and Urban Development Exchange and applied to by the state on behalf of the organization — would only bring in $7,000. To ease some of that loss, the organization also applied for the Community Development Block Grant, also through HUD, in the amount of $25,000, but was denied.

Some of the burden from these monetary hits, Blackwell-Rodgers said, have been abated through small donations and individual contributions. Still, their absence is being felt.

“In all honestly we’ve had to be very creative this year,” Blackwell-Rodgers said in reference to outreaches — both in the community and on social media — the organization has used to try to raise funds, one of which is taking place this weekend.

On Saturday, Family Promise of Carbon County will host its first ever Family Promise Bike Trail Ride. The event will begin at the Pocono Whitewater grove near the Lehighton Trailhead for the D & L Trail. It will kick off with a pre-ride stretch, leading to a bike north along the D & L. To complete the afternoon, a lunch will be held at the Pocono Whitewater picnic grove near Lehighton Drive.

Registration is $35 for adults, and $15 for children. Money raised will go toward maintaining the organization’s daily operations.

Participants, Blackwell-Rodgers said, can also individually raise funds and take pledges for their rides. Riders who manage to raise at least enough to match their registration fee are eligible for to receive a free T-shirt.

“We have various individuals (pledging), but we also have several businesses,” Blackwell-Rodgers said.

Also on Family Promise’s agenda is its annual event hosted by Galen Glen Winery. In October, the winery will partner with Lehighton Ford to raise donations and fill a vehicle with items such as new or gently used blankets and sheets, new towels, washcloths, underwear, socks, light bulbs, laundry soap, toilet paper and toiletries.

Often, Blackwell-Rodgers said, it’s easy to underestimate the prevalence of homeless families in Carbon County, considering it isn’t always within the public eye. Still, he said, the issue is steadily growing. For one, Blackwell-Rodgers estimates the wait-list for Family Promise contains approximately 25 families.

For Blackwell-Rodgers, that local aspect could be an incentive for others to get involved.

“Every dollar raised and every item donated is kept here in Carbon County,” Blackwell-Rodgers said.

“You’re donating locally and it stays local,” he added.