BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Bloomsburg Area non-profit recently worked with the Bloomsburg Town Council to change the town's Code Blue requirements.
Agape is a non-profit serving the greater Bloomsburg Area, helping those in need with food security, housing, and more.
Blankets, pillows, and a warm home. These are things that many of us take for granted, but for those dealing with homelessness, they are luxuries that are not always available.
During the winter months, it can mean the difference between life and death. Recently the members of the group Agape worked with Bloomsburg Council to change the Code Blue policy.
Code Blue allows shelters to open their doors to those in need of a place to stay during extreme weather. Enacted in 2023, the policy allowed Agape to open its shelter when the temperatures dropped below 32°, but some officials say it wasn't enough.
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"Certainly all of the people on council are going to bed at night in their warm beds, I don't know how anyone can ethically make the decision that 'Well, it's not cold enough for some people to not be in a warm bed.' So this wasn't a whole lot of struggle I think on council's part, there's a need and it needs to be addressed," said Justin Hummel, Mayor of Bloomsburg.
During Monday's council meeting, it was decided a new threshold for the Code Blue would be 45° in Bloomsburg, allowing Agape more flexibility when it comes to giving people a warm place to stay.
"Being able to bring people in out of the cold, we have food for them, we have hot drinks for them, we have cold drinks for them, everyone has their own cot and bedding, so we try to make it as comfortable as possible for the people, for the guests," said Jan Albertson, Director of Operations and Finance, Agape.
One man who uses Agape's services and is a volunteer says the policy change was needed.
"I haven't really been out there that long but I've heard stories. People are sleeping in tents down by the river and it's really cold and uncomfortable for a lot of people. I think the more people that are out in the street it gives them the opportunity to get involved in some things that they probably shouldn't, and so when you're able to come here around good people, it gives you the opportunity to get in a better mind state so you can start focusing on the future," said Dominic Rutledge, Volunteer at Agape.
The staff at Agape says that a Code Blue program will also be underway in Berwick starting this Friday, and with more winter weather expected this weekend, they hope they can provide relief to even more people in the area.
Agape says that they are always looking for volunteers and that those who are interested in helping should call them at (570) 317-2210 or visit Agape.
