Several local organizations are working to ensure the homeless have a place to stay amid the frigid cold temperatures.

The People’s E.C. Church in Weissport is working with the St. Vincent DePaul Society from SS Peter & Paul in Lehighton, said Esther Meier, president of St. Vincent DePaul Society of SS Peter & Paul in Lehighton.

Meier said that the St. Peter’s Community Resource Center in Weissport is open to the homeless in the Lehighton area.

“They have opened up their basement for us to house the homeless in Lehighton, not just those from Tent City through this cold snap that we’re having this week into next week,” Meier said. “We’re looking for volunteers to man the shelter because we’re trying to keep it open throughout the day to feed them, and give them a warm place to stay.

”We came up with the idea last week, at our St. Vincent DePaul Society meeting, that we needed to help the homeless. And I have been working all week to find a place to shelter them.”

Meier said that Tammy Hoffman, of St. Peter’s Community Resource Center, graciously opened the door to make that possible.

The cots were delivered to St. Peter’s Community Resource Center as of 5 p.m. Sunday.

Pizza was delivered Sunday night, and one of St. Vincent DePaul Society’s members, Raquel Batista, brought in breakfast this morning.

Nancy Berchtold, member of St. Vincent DePaul Society, said three homeless people stayed over night, and several others who were treated to a meal.

Sandy Whiteman, vice president, St. Vincent DePaul Society, added that chaperones are being provided.

“We’re making hot soups, cocoa; we’re trying to help get them through this horrible week,” she said. “I feel good about it.”

Whiteman said there were 22 people from “Tent City,” and added that number has been reduced to 21 after a man who lived in the area of “Tent City” died on Wednesday.

“It was sad enough that young guy (died),” she said. “We don’t want to loose any more of the homeless.”

Whiteman said we can’t turn a blind eye to the situation, regardless of the reason they are homeless,

“You can’t judge them,” she said. “They’re all God’s children; you still have to help them.”

On Wednesday evening, the Carbon County Coroner’s Office was requested to respond to the area of “Tent City” along the Lehigh River, Lehighton for a deceased person.

Michael Keiper, 45, was pronounced dead at 8:33 p.m. by Chief Deputy Coroner Jason Smith, according to a release from Carbon County Coroner Mark K. Smith.

Toxicology tests performed in cooperation with the Lehigh County Coroners Office and Forensics Center revealed the cause of death to be mixed drug toxicity, with the manner of death to be accidental.