PATH, other nonprofits make adjustments to continue offering help to local homeless population

Published 5:22 pm Friday, March 20, 2020

For Arthur Fraction, who lives in a camper without water and electricity, having somewhere to get food is something he’s extremely grateful to have.

He is one of many continuing to visit the nonprofit’s PATH food pantry amid concerns of the coronavirus pandemic.

“A helping hand is what it means and I’m grateful to them,” Fraction said.

PATH, also known as People Attempting to Help, assists people in need with rent, utilities, food and other necessities, housing and mentorships.

It is among organizations in the Tyler area adjusting to the precautions regarding limited social gatherings, while working to serve those in need.

The PATH pantry is open Monday through Thursday at 402 W. Front St. in Tyler. Next week, the pantry will limit its hours to 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with food pantry service only, PATH Executive Director Greg Grubb said.

“We haven’t experienced a week this disrupted from our routines at PATH since the hurricane refugees arrived from Katrina and Rita in 2005. This has been a challenging week on our staff, volunteers, budget, operating procedures and, primarily, on our neighbors in need,” Grubb said in a statement. “With all the challenges, we are thankful to be involved with our East Texas neighbors; hearing their stories, witnessing their faith, evaluating their needs, and addressing the disruptions caused by the current climate together.”

The change is partially due to the loss of volunteers, who are taking a break from their service to limit their risk of exposure. Most of the long-term volunteers are over age 60.

Grubb said they are limiting the amount of people that come in to 10 at one time.

To be cautious and careful, those who need pantry items provide a list to volunteers who gather the items.

“We are allowing folks to come in for food, recognizing that there are fewer options around town,” Grubb said. “We took the barriers away this week.”

Grubb said PATH wants to keep people safe and healthy. He added there is also a need for more donations to help out with the pantry.

The pantry offers products, such as fresh produce, dairy, meat, bread, baby items and other needs. Items needed include peanut butter, canned meats and personal care items including shampoo, deodorant and soap.

“This sense of community can be a plus that comes out of this,” Grubb said.

For those in need of shelter, the Salvation Army in Tyler, 633 N. Broadway Ave., offers a place for the homeless. It remains in full operation.

Salvation Army Capt. Nicole Parker said they are screening people coming in and out, communicating with local health officials and taking necessary cleaning precautions.

She said people who come in are being screened about possible symptoms and their travel history. If it becomes necessary, there are rooms to use for quarantine areas.

The shelter offers three meals per day, over 200 beds, showers and counseling, Parker added.

“We’re here to meet them where they are and serve them the best way we can at this time,” she said.

The Salvation Army is in need of cleaning products, such as Clorox wipes, soap and sanitizer, Parker said.

Hunger for Love, a church that provides breakfast and lunch under a bridge to those in need every Saturday morning, will no longer provide meals due to the recent CDC guidelines.

Heidi Eslicker with the Hunger for Love team said the organization hosted an abbreviated version of its normal meals and church service last Saturday.

There provided both to-go breakfast and lunch meals. Normally, there would be a breakfast served, a church service and a sack lunch of nonperishables distributed under the Gentry Parkway overpass at Valentine Street in Tyler.

If the recommendations change, she said they will make further adjustments.

She encouraged people to watch their Facebook page for updates. Those who need food can reach out to Hunger for Love for help and they will try to meet the need on a case-by-case basis, Eslicker said.

Hiway 80 Rescue Mission’s day center for the homeless, Gateway to Hope, is open on a limited basis. The center is located at 601 W Valentine St. in Tyler.

Hiway 80 Rescue Mission Managing Executive Director Brian Livingston said the center will be open from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.

During this period, homeless people can receive items, such as water, snacks, soaps and deodorant. But due to virus, staff has been encouraged to stay at home if they feel ill, he said.

“We’re not going to have people gathering like they normally do,” Livingston said.

Livingston added that Hiway 80 will operate the day center this way until further notice.

“As soon as we feel comfortable with opening services, we will,” he said. “We appreciate folks continuing to pray for us. We’re trying to still serve them.”

Under normal circumstances, there can be an average of 80 people in the day room, Livingston said.