Published January 27. 2023 02:13PM
by JILL WHALEN JWHALEN@TNONLINE.COM
A steady stream of people arrived for a free community meal served Thursday evening from the Perla Building in Tamaqua.
The dinner – meatballs, pasta, salad and dessert – was available to anyone, but was held in conjunction with the 2023 Unsheltered Point in Time Count.
Through the count, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development asks every county in the United States to tally and submit its homeless numbers.
Schuylkill County organizations assist with the count, and arranged a series of gatherings this week – including the Tamaqua dinner – to reach out to those in need.
Attendees were able to find information on housing, emergency grocery assistance and medical care.
Also earlier this week, outreach teams canvassed the county to connect with the homeless.
More than 30 volunteers helped at the Tamaqua dinner, which was prepared by Stokes Ministries of Tamaqua. Others on hand represented the Salvation Army, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Helping Harvest SNAP Outreach, Servants to All, the Tamaqua Chamber and Schuylkill County’s Service Access Management.
St. Luke's University Health Network employees, from left, Kerri Quick, Anna Dorian and Dr. Thomas C. McGinley Jr., distributed helpful information about medical services to those who attended a community dinner Thursday at The Perla Building in Tamaqua. JILL WHALEN/TIMES NEWS
Volunteers John Murphy and Zariah Boher, of Servants to All/My Father's House, distribute food, blankets, hats, toiletries and other items during a community dinner held Thursday from The Perla Building in Tamaqua. JILL WHALEN/TIMES NEWS
State Rep. Jamie Barton, R-124, and Aimee Dotson, from the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce, were among the 30-plus volunteers at a community dinner held Thursday from The Perla Building. The two helped serve a meal prepared by Stokes Ministries of Tamaqua. JILL WHALEN/TIMES NEWS