‘There’s a lot of people in Harrisburg who are generous’: A panhandler’s story
Updated Dec 18, 2020;
Posted Dec 18, 2020
Douglas Irving carries a sign reading God loves you as he panhandles on the corner of Cameron and Market Streets in Harrisburg on Dec. 2, 2020.
Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com
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They’re panhandlers, pleading with messages scrawled on cardboard, along with smiles and waves.
When traffic stops, they walk the line of idling vehicles waiting for someone to see their need, hoping for a car window to roll down, praying that a little help will pass through.
There are no reliable statistics on panhandling in Harrisburg. But those driving through the city on mid to later afternoons, especially toward the end of the week – payday for those lucky enough to still have jobs – have witnessed the rise in their numbers.
Scenes from a homeless shelter on a cold night amid the coronavirus
Updated Dec 18, 2020;
Posted Dec 17, 2020
Men wait in line outside Downtown Daily Bread homeless shelter in Harrisburg on Dec. 9, 2020.
Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com
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They start lining up shortly after the sun goes down. By the time darkness blankets the city, there’s nearly two dozen.
Their bags are packed. Some carry food. They might be lining up for a train or bus, but no.
Rather, they’re all waiting to come in from the cold for a precious night’s sleep in a warm bed.
As winter encroaches, this scene will be repeated nightly through March in an alley outside the Downtown Daily Bread soup kitchen and shelter, located in the shadows of Pennsylvania’s capitol building off North Third Street.
Want to help the homeless? Here’s how to do it
Updated Dec 17, 2020;
When considering how to help the homeless, the vast majority of people approach it with good intentions.
Most are inclined to give one-time donations to shelters by way of food, clothing or personal hygiene items. Those are well-intended, but not always the best way to give or help. In fact, service providers say that donations such as food - particularly perishable food - often are more of a hindrance than a help to a well-established system that already functions effectively.
Area providers say those who are willing and able to help can do the most good with a financial contribution (see a list of agencies is provided at the end of this story). Social service agencies need money to pay for staff and supplies.
Coronavirus complicates bringing Pa.’s homeless in from the cold
As the mercury drops, many homeless living in hidden camps will look to come in from the cold. But the coronavirus has sharply cut shelter space.
Updated on Dec 18, 2020;
Published on Dec 17, 2020
Stephanie Tighe, a community health worker with UPMC Pinnacle Mission Effectiveness, delivers a new pair of glasses to Mark at the homeless encampment near the PennDot building in Harrisburg on Dec. 2, 2020. He was headed to his brother s house. Tighe had taken Mark for an eye exam earlier and was finally able to connect after searching for several weeks. (Photo by Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com)