Carbon County’s Homeless Task Force combed the area on Wednesday in search of unsheltered homeless people.

The task force, in partnership with the Carbon County Action Committee Human Services and Family Promise of Carbon County, held several events throughout the county as part of the homeless count.

They asked for “the community’s assistance in encouraging individuals and families who are currently experiencing homelessness — or are at risk of homelessness” to join them at one of the locations set up throughout the county.

Among the locations were in Lehighton, hosted by the Carbon County Action Committee, as well as one hosted by Family Promise in Carbon County.

Other locations where stations were set up included the Lansford American Fire Company, hosted by the St. Vincent de Paul Society Panther Valley; in Nesquehoning, hosted by Meed’s Memorial United Methodist Church; in Summit Hill, hosted by the Summit Hill Heritage Center; and in Weatherly, hosted by Zion Lutheran Church.

At each station, people provided those in need with a warm space, snacks, meals at some of the locations, resources and someone to talk to about the person’s situation.

Krista Brown-Ly, executive director of Family Promise of Carbon County, explained why the groups agreed to team up with the Carbon County Homeless Task Force.

“Because we know there are families who are doubled and tripled up and at risk of homelessness,” Brown-Ly said. “I don’t think there’s enough awareness; that’s not due to a lack of trying.”

As of this morning, the exact number of people who were identified was unknown, according to Kim Miller, executive director of the Carbon County Action Committee.

“It’s too early to give any results of our count efforts last night,” Miller said. “The count will continue through some of our area service agencies, school districts, police departments that we’ve asked to participate as well for any homeless people that they may be serving who would have been homeless last night.”

Miller said she believes the reason why many don’t take advantage of the services offered is due to their fear of being “outed.”

The point-in-time count is a nationwide count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people on a single night in January.

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 count 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 people 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.