In order to have a better understanding about the prevalence of homelessness and housing insecurity in the area, a county-wide Point-in-Time Count will be held today.
Officials from the Marshall County Community Foundation and United Way, the groups responsible for organizing the effort, noted that the purpose of the PIT Count is to tally up the number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people on a single day in January.
They also note that having accurate data about these issues empowers the community to respond in the best possible way when it comes to serving and helping families who experience homelessness.
Individuals who are currently homeless are asked to come by one of several PIT Count sites that will be stationed around the County in Argos, Bremen, Bourbon, Culver, LaPaz and Plymouth.
Surveys will be conducted at each site and trained volunteers will be on hand to provide assistance and answer questions.
Any families or individuals facing eviction, “couch surfers”, individuals who feel they’re forced to reside in an unsafe place and anyone who has relied on the County trustee, churches or charities to help them stay housed are also asked to participate.
All participants will receive a toiletry kit as a token of appreciation in order to thank them for their bravery in stepping forward to share their story and be counted.
If you have any questions, officials can be reached at 574-936-3366.
A list of all PIT-Count survey sites and times can be found below:
ARGOS – Argos Garden Court, 400 W Marshall St, from 12 – 5 p.m.
BREMEN – First United Church of Christ, 323 S Center St, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
BOURBON – Bourbon Garden Court, 200 W. Florence St, from 5 – 7 p.m.
CULVER – Grace United Church of Christ, 307 N Plymouth St, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
LAPAZ – LaPaz Fire Station, 411 S Michigan St, from 5 – 7 p.m.
PLYMOUTH – Bread of Life Food Pantry, 6770 N Michigan Rd, from 1-3 p.m.
PLYMOUTH – Marshall County Neighborhood Center, 402 W Garro St, from 3 – 7 p.m. Food Pantry hours, 5 – 7 p.m.
PLYMOUTH – Lobby of Mi Camino, by Red Rock Inn, 2550 N Michigan St, from 5 – 7 p.m.
