By ELLEN KOLMAN - Staff Writer - ekolman@starbeacon.com
ASHTABULA — With area temperatures plunging into the single digits or even below zero, coupled with the recent economic downturn, local agencies are in need of donations.
Samaritan House, Ashtabula County’s only homeless shelter, located at 4125 Station Ave., has been full since cold weather season began, said Steve Sargent, director.
“We can house up to 14 people, and right now it is pretty deadly to have people out all night,” Sargent said. “So far, we have not had to turn anyone away.”
If there is no room at Samaritan House, Sargent is forced to refer people to the next closest shelter, Project Hope in Lake County, in Painesville.
With the recent economic decline, Sargent has noticed it is harder for people to get on their feet. The average length of stay at Samaritan House, even a year ago, was 14 days; now, the average stay is about 23 days.
“It is harder for people to get established now. We are not necessarily serving more people, but they are staying longer,” he said.
The needs are great at Samaritan House, especially during the winter season, and donations are always welcome. The items needed the most are nonperishable food items; household products like paper towels, toilet paper, laundry soap and cleaning supplies; rock salt for the sidewalks; and coffee.
The Ashtabula Senior Center located at 4632 Main Ave. reported no issues attributed to the cold.
“So far, so good,” said Jane Pristov, receptionist. “Because we have had plenty of warning that this cold spell was coming, our seniors were prepared.”
Morning supervisor Mark Flores of Chapel GO Ministries located at 3911 Cleveland Ave., said during extremely cold weather, fewer people come out for meals.
“Our doors are open. It is just too cold for people to come and be fed. That’s sad,” Flores said.
GO Ministries has a food bank open every Thursday, which is getting low, so donations are welcome.
Renee Palagyi, executive director of the American Red Cross’ Ashtabula County chapter, said the agency has been inundated with calls from people unable to pay their utilities.
“Part of the problem is people wait too long to ask for help. Our mission here is to teach people to prepare, prevent and recover from disaster,” she said. “I don’t believe many people know about (the Home Energy Assistance Program) for help with heating their homes.”
The HEAP program administered through the Ohio Department of Development. Information and applications can be obtained online (www.odod.state.oh.us/CDD/OCS/heap.htm).
