Free community breakfast Saturday open to all, aims to identify, assist homeless

A volunteer serves a meal at a previous event. /File photo.

FRONT ROYAL – A free community breakfast will be held on  Saturday, Jan. 20 from 8 a.m. to noon at the  Calvary Episcopal Church, Parish Hall (2nd St. behind Church) at 132 North Royal Ave. in town.

Linda Allen, coordinator for the event, said in a media release,  “All are welcome. We want the breakfast to be a meet-and-greet vehicle to strengthen the community, pool info on how we can identify and assist those going through a homeless experience, and get word out about the ‘Point in Time
Count,’ which is the collection of data HUD uses to allocate funds to our region.

These funds go to housing assistance, mental health services, and shelter placement. Funds are allocated by the ‘Continuum of Care,’ which doles out the money to local, approved organizations.”

The purpose of the ‘Drop-In Café’ , which operates under the nonprofit Center for Workforce Development, is to feed, listen and talk with those experiencing hardships.

Ms. Allen said that in cooperation with other organizations, the group will  “assist in submitting local and state forms to connect individuals to resources for financial help, food, and job training.”

She said the group can also assist with  resume writing, helping the homeless keep medical appointments and manage medical records,  provide
assistance in finding jobs and can provide clothing and sleeping bags, if needed.

“The short term goal is to keep people warm and dry. The long term objective is to develop a shelter for women and families as well as a thermal shelter during the winter months,” the release states.

Linda Allen said in an interview Monday morning that, “This winter has been particularly brutal.  We have homeless who are living outside and something MUST be done!”

She says that donations of items such as tents, warm socks, gloves, thermal underwear, personal care/hygiene items for men and women and gift cards (from local stores where needed items can be purchased) are currently needed and greatly appreciated.  Monetary donations are also appreciated, and tax-deductible, as the Center for Workforce Development is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

For more information, or to volunteer or arrange pick-up of a donation, contact Ms. Allen at 540-550-0110.