Resources: Community steps up to aid Clarkston homeless as camp evacuation looms

CLARKSTON, WA - A few community members and non-profits have visited the homeless camp to supply them with needed resources.

One of those being the Salvation Army, they say once the camp is officially evacuated, they will build a plan to continue helping the homeless around the valley.

"They were under the impression that they were going to be able to stay there and kind of have a safe place to land and they don't have that now.”

Justina Foster, a Salvation Army Volunteer, said this about those at the homeless camp needing to cleared out.

Leaving many of those at the camp with even more limited resources. But what help can be provided?

Through their Street Level Outreach, the Salvation Army goes out into the community each week and provides the homeless with meals, hygiene, blankets and clothing.

This program is just one of many that the non-profit runs. They provide a food pantry, a community dinner that runs four nights out of the week and for those that need to get cleaned up, the Salvation Army has free of charge showers and laundry.

St. Vincent de Paul in Clarkston will continue their normal services of helping those in need by providing clothing, household goods and food.

These non-profits and many others take donations year-round to continue helping those in need.

Volunteers to help with the outreach are also always welcomed.

"The Salvation Army's heart and I know a bunch of the other non-profits' heart is really to come together and assist those who are expressing homelessness and really what we would love is just make them feel seen," Salvation Army Captain Jolene Aycock said.

Captain Jolene Aycock from the Salvation Army also mentioned that she has emailed both the City of Lewiston and Clarkston's city council to have them meet with local non-profits to find more resources and a plan to address the needs of homeless community members.

As of right now only one city council member from Lewiston has responded.