Schuylkill County Commissioners marked the annual Point In Time Count scheduled for this week with a formal Proclamation.
“It seems like the number of people in need (grows), and not just at this time of year but all through the year, and you folks are the ones that come out and give them a hand and lift them up and put them back on the right track,” Commissioner Gary Hess said.
Shawn Frankenstein, the housing coordinator at Service Access Management, said Schuylkill County is blessed to have so many individuals and organizations that participate in the annual Point In Time Count.
Frankenstein said this year there are 17 different teams canvassing Schuylkill County in search of homeless and unsheltered people who may benefit from services available to them.
“We appreciate everything that you do for the county,” Commissioners Chairman Larry Padora said at the proclamation presentation.
The following community events are planned for this week, specifically for those in need:
FRACKVILLE (Food provided by God’s Chuckwagon) Jan. 22, 2026, 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Living Waters Church of God, 155 South Balliet Street
GIRARDVILLE/ASHLAND (Food provided by Catholic Charities) Jan. 22, 2026, 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Helping Hands Thrift Store, 1005 Centre St., Ashland, PA
SHENANDOAH (Food provided by Catholic Charities) Jan. 22, 2026, 4 p.m.-5 p.m. American Legion Post 792, 116 North Main St.
MAHANOY CITY (Food provided by God’s Chuckwagon) Jan. 22, 2026, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Mahanoy City Senior Center, 138 W. Center Street
MINERSVILLE (Food Bank) Jan. 22, 2026, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Minersville Area Food Program, St. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church Campus (Lower level, rear), 4th and Spencer St.
ORWIGSBURG (Resources) Jan. 21, 2026, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. God’s Helping Hands, 12 Molino Road
POTTSVILLE (Community Meal) Jan. 23, 2026, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Salvation Army, 400 Sanderson Street
POTTSVILLE (Resources) Jan. 22, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Servants To All (My Father’s House), 4 South Centre Street
ST. CLAIR (Food provided by Catholic Charities) Jan. 22, 2026, 12 p.m.-1 p.m. St. Clare of Assisi Parish (Parking Lot), Street between E. Hancock & E. Carroll Street
According to Pennsylvania Continuums of Care data collected in 2025, the number of unsheltered households and people in Schuylkill County dropped from the previous year. There were 13 households and 15 people counted as unsheltered in 2025, down from 17 households and 18 people in 2024.
All 15 unsheltered people last year were at least 25 years old.
Of those 15, 7 were classified as severely mentally ill, 1 had a chronic substance abuse disorder, 2 were military veterans, and 3 were victims of domestic violence.
Photo: (From left) Gary Hess, Schuylkill County Commissioner; Jeanette Triano, executive director at Servants to All; Shawn Frankenstein, housing coordinator at Service Access Management; Dawn Fisher, community outreach coordinator at Schuylkill County Mental Health/Developmental Services/Drug & Alcohol; Elaine Gilbert, administrator at Schuylkill County MH/DS Drug & Alcohol; Larry Padora, Commissioners Chairman.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...