In the fall of 2019 the First Congregational United Church of Christ at 318 Front St. was in the midst of serving a weekly Free Breakfast. What began as a simple invitation to the nearby neighborhood in downtown Marietta had evolved, with the COVID 19 Pandemic , to a “drive-thru distribution to 140 people each week. Volunteers served not only residents but an increasing number of people who were without homes. The question arose, “where do those who are homeless go?”

By coincidence, the church had recently seen the retirement of their pastor, leaving the parsonage vacant. Like many religious groups, care and feeding of those less fortunate was and remains a core value. Working with other church groups, the city administrators and the Washington County Homeless Project (a non-profit focused on services for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless), a daytime “drop-in” shelter was opened mid-winter.

Eventually, the parsonage again was required by the church so the “drop-in” center moved to 274 Front Street and expanded services to include collaborations with the courts, treatment centers and the Department of Job and Family Services to address the challenges faced by those without housing. Unfortunately, the drop-in center is not able to provide overnight shelter.

The Washington County Homeless Project is now moving to the next step…an overnight temporary shelter. With financial help from civic groups, charitable organizations, grants, and a generous seller, a building is being purchased and plans for renovation, including a required “sprinkler system” are set. The sprinkler system alone will cost $100,000.

A fund-raising effort is currently underway to solicit donations large and small. For instance, $20 from 2000 people would provide us with $40,000. Larger donations would get us where we need to be even quicker. As Winter approaches this vital resource would be critical to the mission of addressing homelessness in the Marietta area.

Please forward donations (checks please) to the WCHP, P.O. Box 203, Marietta, Ohio 45750. We also have a fund set up at the Marietta Community Foundation for an emergency overnight shelter and donations can be forwarded to them at PO Box 77, Marietta, Ohio 45750, note emergency overnight shelter in the memo.

Thank you

Teresa Porter, member

Washington County Homeless Project