Meteorologists are forecasting another brutal winter this year. Imagine you have no house or apartment to go to. That’s the case for all too many individuals in Hudson County and elsewhere. And that’s what the Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation (PERC) and parent organization Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corporation (GSECDC) have been addressing for years.
They offer soup kitchens and food pantries, job assistance, and both temporary and permanent housing. Once a year they hold a fundraising event to allow them to keep providing support as needed.
This year the event will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13 at Casino in the Park, 1 Nunda Ave., Jersey City.
“It’s our kickoff event for a month of raising awareness for the plight of homelessness,” said Carol Mori, executive director of GDECDC.
Tickets are $85 each. “All the proceeds go toward programs that help the homeless,” said Alice Bell, operations manager for GSECDC and PERC.
Following the dinner, a month-long “Longest Night campaign” will take place, consisting of events designed to make the public aware of the tragedy of homelessness, as well as to raise funds and collect supplies for the needy.
“We have ongoing drives taking place at bank branches, individual churches, different civic organizations,” said Bell, “to collect items like socks, hats, gloves, coats, scarves, hand sanitizers, toiletries, blankets, reading glasses, nonperishable food.”
The “Longest Night” campaign ends with a memorial service the week of Dec. 21, which is the winter solstice – literally the longest night of the year.
“It’s a national event,” said Bell. “We hold a memorial service for people who have lost their life in the street or families that have lost members or friends. It’s a multi-religious ceremony, a lovely, lovely tribute to those folks that have been affected.”
“We never have enough money to cover what it costs us to do the winter emergency for the shelter. But we make it happen.” – Alice Bell
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In Hudson County, the memorial service will be held on Dec. 19 at Old Bergen Church, 1 Highland Ave. in Jersey City.
PERC will also be providing a community Thanksgiving meal on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 6.p.m. All are welcome.
Working hand in hand
In addition to operating a food pantry serving all of Hudson County, PERC offers a community service dinner every day of the week and operates a shelter consisting of 40 bunk beds – 36 for men and a separate section with four for women.
Last year they provided 21,000 shelter nights, more than 96,000 meals, and gave groceries to over 13,000 families through the food pantry.
PERC became a subsidiary of GSECDC just over a year ago, on Oct. 1, 2013. Both are 501(c)3 nonprofits.
Described as “non religious but faith-based,” GSECDC’s goal is to provide longer-term affordable housing and social services.
“Bringing PERC on board has created a holistic approach,” explained Mori. “People are coming from PERC off the street. GDECDC works toward getting them permanently housed.”
How to help
The theme for this year’s fundraising event is “Ending homelessness, one life at a time.” About 240 people attended the event last year. The organizers are hoping for an even larger turnout on Nov. 13.
“It gives people a chance to participate,” said Bell, noting that in addition to concerned and caring members of the public, attendees include politicians, activists, and representatives of sponsor agencies.
The event will include dinner and drinks, entertainment, and a silent auction.
“We never have enough money to cover what it costs us to do the winter emergency for the shelter,” she said. “But we make it happen.”
Anyone wishing to contribute can attend the event or make a donation to PERC or GSECDC. “They can also volunteer to conduct a drive,” said Bell. “We have a packet they can get that gives information on how to conduct a drive.” For information, contact Community Relations Manager Pat Belenski at (201) 348-8150.
To learn more, visit the websites http://www.percshelter.org and http://gsecdc.org or the Garden State Episcopal CDC page on Facebook.
Art Schwartz may be reached at arts@hudsonreporter.com.