The 4th Annual Free Community Dinner is scheduled for 4:30pm to 6:30pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at The Salvation Army on 317 West Church Street. The event is open to the public and serves to raise awareness of hunger and homeless issues in the Marion community.
“The Homelessness Awareness Community Dinner creates a forum to call attention to the homeless needs in Marion County and provide an event for persons who can benefit from a good hot meal,” explained Bev Young, Executive Director of Marion Area Counseling Center. “The event itself is designed to make people feel special as it is a restaurant type atmosphere with entertainment and blankets/paper products to hand out. We want persons that come to the dinner to leave feeling a sense of hope and cared about. It is another way to pay forward for our blessings.”
Homelessness in Marion tends to be somewhat invisible because local residents do not see the stereotype of people living under bridges. Instead, those without housing tend to live in their cars or move from couch to couch where ever someone will let them stay for a while.
Chuck Bulick, Executive Director of the Marion Shelter Program, says the problem locally is very real and has only grown over the past few years.
“There are people in need,” Bulick stated at a recent Marion County Commissioners meeting. “Things don’t seem to be improving.”
Bulick said that last year the shelter in Marion, which serves surrounding counties as well, saw record use. In addition to all the adults, Bulick said the shelter served 152 children.
Another way that area residents experiencing homelessness do not fit the stereotype is that up to 45 percent have jobs and are working.
“We are helping those who are struggling in Marion to have a safe, decent place to call home by raising awareness that there are a lot of people in Marion who do not have a place to call home,” states Brian Penrod, Consumer and Family Advocate at Crawford-Marion Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board. “There is a real problem. Sometimes in our busy lives and trying to keep our own heads above water, we can easily pass by those who are struggling. Housing is one of the core things we need to build successful lives. If you do not have a warm safe place to go, most of your time is going to be spent finding it. The homeless shelter has been at full capacity for several months now. There are not a lot of options.”
In addition to the free dinner, free blankets and paper supplies will be handed out while supplies last.
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