Members of the Tri-County Ambucs were at the homeless shelter set up at Zions U.C.C. to provide a warm meal for those arriving late on a cold night last winter. Several area businesses assist the homeless by donating food and personal items. John Strickler — The Mercury file photo
Grace Brethren pastor, Kirk Moyer, who leads Still Waters Church in Pottstown, Pa., is quoted in a recent article in the Mercury News. A portion of the article appears below. Click here to read the complete story.
Pottstown-area businesses are assisting the homeless with food, services or donated goods
…Still Waters Church Pastor Kork Moyer, who heads up the shelter, said Rite Aid is one of several businesses in the area that have stepped in to help Pottstown’s homeless with food, services or donated goods.
Since 2007, Pottstown’s Ministries at Main Street has run a rotating homeless shelter from Nov. 1 through the end of April.
Host churches open their doors to the homeless each night for one month to six weeks. The homeless are welcomed in at 10 p.m., given food and a place to sleep and in the morning, they are provided with breakfast. They leave by 8 a.m. each day, often with a bagged lunch. …
“The reason they need to be involved is because they’re neighbors,” said Moyer. “You need to know who your neighbors are.”
Business owners and managers may have negative perceptions of homeless people.
“A number of businesses don’t want the homeless community on the streets. They believe they chase away business. But often, they’re the people who go into the shops and spend money,” he said.
Because the homeless are among those who venture into the stores regularly, the employees and proprietors get to know them. Usually, they find that people who are homeless aren’t causing anyone harm.
“They discover that there’s nothing troubling (about a homeless person) except that somebody is having a hard time,” he said. “When myths are dispelled, fear is dispelled and (the businesses) become part of the solution. They come forth with help and with gifts.”
According to Moyer, a relatively small percentage of the homeless community is chronically homeless.
“They are predominantly people who need it for a time and then are moved back into housing,” he explained.
Click here to read the complete story.
