BACM is very concerned about the homeless households we see in our food pantry, and who arrive at our door for aid.  Our response to their requests are varied:

 If a household has a reasonable income and is merely behind in rent, facing an eviction, or looking for an apartment, BACM can often assist them through our financial aid program.

 If a household or individual is currently homeless, living in a car, or without shelter, BACM can refer them to an emergency shelter in Akron.  Usually, two-parent households are split up in these circumstances, with men going to a men’s shelter and women and children going to a women’s shelter.  Often, all shelters are full with a waiting list.   Sometimes households refuse to go to a shelter, limiting our options even further.

 Some of the homeless BACM encounters are suffering from drug or alcohol addiction.  BACM will try to encourage them to seek treatment for their addiction.  If they choose to do so, BACM will assist them in finding a treatment program, many of which have shelter components.  However, most non—treatment shelters will not accept clients who are actively using drugs or alcohol, and there is little BACM to do to assist these households.

 If a household (single, couple or family) is currently without shelter, and has income and plans to obtain shelter in the next week, BACM can assist them with temporary shelter in a motel for one week.  Those assisted in this way must demonstrate that they have plans to provide for themselves or get into a shelter after one week.  There has to be room for them in a local motel, and such households generally need to show some reason why they are in Barberton (job, family, previous address, school enrollment, etc.).  Often these households also receive special food assistance so they can eat in their motel room with the use of a microwave and mini-fridge.

BACM provides one week of temporary shelter in a motel for 30-40 households per year.  This assistance is possible through a grant from the Summit County Emergency Food and Shelter Board and through generous donations to our Sleep in the Street annual fundraiser, which also pays for the financial aid BACM can offer some households.

....for I was hungry and you gave me food,

I was thirsty and you gave me drink,   I was a

stranger  and you welcomed me,  I was naked

and you clothed me,  I was sick and you visited me,

I was in prison and you came to me.    Matthew 25:35.