Family Promise of Carbon County needs donations, as the nonprofit family shelter in Nesquehoning is at capacity.

The shelter is housing seven families with a total of 24 people, including 13 children, said Cathy Lamm, executive director.

Another 20 people are on a waiting list.

The shelter would welcome donations of food, kitchen and bath cleaning supplies, one-ply toilet paper, and personal hygiene items, Lamm said.

“With everyone that is housed here, we go through a lot of food,” she said.

Shelf stable items, such as canned goods, vegetables, spaghetti sauce, pasta, soup, cereal, crackers or cookies, coffee or tea, cooking oil, and drink mix could be used.

“We will take anything,” she said, regarding food items.

She believes the shelter, which has been at 140 W. Mill St., the former St. Francis of Assisi Church complex, for a year, is at capacity due to the current state of the economy and inflation.

There is also a lack of affordable housing, Lamm said. Two families exceeded the time limit of 120 days at the shelter, because housing isn’t available, she said.

The inventory that is available is either too expensive – with monthly rents well over $1,000 or doesn’t fit housing guidance for the family under the Section 8 government subsidy program, Lamm said.

Someone is available 24/7 at the shelter to accept donations or deliveries, she said. People can also mail donations, or send from Amazon, as some local organizations are doing, she said.

The shelter would also welcome monetary donations, which Lamm called a blessing.

“We are grateful for everything,” she said.

The nonprofit relies on donations, community fundraisers, grants and other funding to support the families it assists.