Downtown Rotary helps the homeless, donates to Merit House
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LOCK HAVEN -- Jake Brown left the Downtown Rotary meeting April 4 with food in hand -- a whole lot of food donated by Rotarians for the Merit House men's shelter.
Jake works at the shelter and noticed recently that the pantry was down to nearly nothing. That's when he asked the Rotary Club of Downtown Lock Haven for help.
Jake had served as a young Christmas elf for the club's Festival of Trees some years ago. The Rotarians were very happy to see him again and to do something for him in turn. They contributed soups, canned meat, snacks and more.
The Merit House is a drop-in overnight shelter for homeless men. It's a separate building on the same East Main Street property as the Life Center, a temporary shelter for women, children and families. Both are run by the Clinton County Housing Coalition Inc.
The Merit House was named for the late Glenn A. Merritt, Lock Haven's most famous homeless person and the first person to stay there. He agreed to spend the last few days of his life indoors, where he not only had food and a comfortable place to stay but also received medical and hospice care.
The shelter wasn't really a shelter then. It was just a concrete building. But it was soon renovated and opened for regular use in 2017.
Up to four men at a time may sleep and get a shower in one of the shelter's four bedroom units. They may stay at the Merit House for up to 30 nights, sometimes more if needed. While there, they receive weekly case management on site which helps them find a place to live and get connected to other services.
Jake said the men he has seen at the shelter have ranged in age from 18 to their 50s. They are homeless for a wide variety of reasons, he said, from a bad situation at home, to mental confusion, to problems caused by drugs. One client simply loves to roam, returning to the Merit House from time to time.
"I've always been interested in helping people," Jake said. "Now I'm on the front line, right there, seeing everyone come through the door. It's opening my eyes."
Keshia Conway, Senior Care Navigator for the Clinton County Housing Coalition, says Jake "really has a great heart and work ethic, and we are grateful for him."
She said the Merit House has a microwave and refrigerator but no oven. The shelter can use donations of food that can be microwaved, snacks, drinks, paper towels, toilet paper, garbage bags, plastic cutlery, paper plates, pillows, personal care items and laundry detergent.
Anyone interested in making a donation is encouraged to call 570-502-1534 and ask to speak with a staff person.