NESQUEHONING, Pa. — Shelves remain bare inside the food pantry at Family Promise of Carbon County in Nesquehoning. There's not much left to help feed the 25 people, including 13 children, who are a part of the nonprofit's transitional living program.
"We are at capacity. We have a long wait list. Our families are staying longer, and our families are working. They're working families, but they just cannot afford the rents in the area," said executive director Kathy Lamm.
The nonprofit helps families get back on their feet. With a waiting list of over 60 families, Lamm says their services exceed what they can do in this building. And there is a bigger issue at hand.
"The wages just don't coincide. Plus, your average cost of living, and I think that that is a big factor."
Because the organization has seen such an increased need for transitional housing, they opened up the basement of a church and renovated it to be able to help more people.
"It is brand new. We were going to hold off until we did have bathroom and shower facilities, but the temperatures were so brutal," Lamm said. "We can offer some soup, cup of coffee, cup of tea, some cocoa. Give folks a chance to come in and warm up."
It's not just for those who have no place to stay. It's open to struggling families or those having a hard time paying their heating bill.
The warming day shelter is open on an as-needed basis, but they have bigger plans for the space.
"I'd like to offer it for overnight as well for the unsheltered population of the area, but we just don't have the funding to install bathrooms yet. So that's what we're working on towards."
Lamm says they are always collecting monetary and gift card donations as well as food and clothing items.
Get more information and make a donation HERE.