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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Lehighton Cold Weather Station?

To provide warm, safe overnight (6PM-9AM) accommodation, a warm evening meal and breakfast for neighbors in need when feels-like temperatures are at or below 25°F AS LONG AS VOLUNTEERS ARE AVAILABLE.

Why do we need a Cold Weather Station and who will use it?

We are aware of at least 50 individuals in our area that are currently living in tents, cars or abandoned buildings. We know there are others that are unable to heat their homes sufficiently in the extreme cold. During January and February of 2024, Operation Cold Front provided shelter to 25 different individuals. Last year we served 36 men and 17 women.

Where will the Cold Weather Station be located?

For the 2025/26 winter, the warming station will operate out of the the old Concern buildings on Country Club Road. It is a much more functional space compared to last year. There are two levels. The main level has a commercial kitchen and is where the meals are served. The upper level has 26 beds, a bathroom (1 toilet and 1 basin) and a side room for the chaperones.

Who is behind the Cold Weather Station?

The St Vincent de Paul Society is leasing the space, providing insurance and handling donations but the Cold Weather Station is truly a coalition of local churches, civic organizations and concerned Carbon County residents.

Who is funding the Cold Weather Station?

St Vincent de Paul USA generously provided an initial grant of $5,000 to get us up and running last year. We will rely on community donations for all other needs.

Who will staff the Cold Weather Station?

It will be volunteer staffed through a coalition of local churches, civic organizations and concerned Carbon County residents.

What happens if you don’t have enough volunteers?

The Cold Weather Station will be closed if we do not have sufficient volunteers to staff it safely. We will try to connect the neighbors in need with other resources but honestly there are very few options in the area so in all likelihood they will be unsheltered.

When will the Cold Weather Station be open?

It will be open OVERNIGHT (6PM-9AM) when feels-like temperatures are expected to be AT OR BELOW 25°F from December 1st, 2025 through April 30th, 2026 as long as we have sufficient volunteers to staff it.

Why did you pick 25°F and where will these people stay when the temperature is above 25°F ?

We agree that 25°F is VERY cold. We would love to be able to raise that to 32°F or just have the Cold Weather Station open all winter but we need funding and staffing to be able to do that. Many emergency shelters open at 25°F as people are at serious risk of freezing to death when temperatures get that low. We hope this will be the first step towards something bigger.

What will happen when daytime temperatures are below 25°F ?

The Cold Weather Station could be open during the day if we have sufficient volunteers and funding. Our first goal is to provide overnight shelter but we will be assessing the viability of adding daytime hours as volunteers come forward.

Why are these people homeless or unable to heat their homes?

That is a very important question and one we need to talk about as a community. It is easy to make assumptions when you don’t personally know people in these situations. There are many, many reasons for homelessness … some have encountered unexpected circumstances, some have mental health problems, others have made some poor choices. They are all unique people with unique stories just like each of us. We invite you to listen and learn as you serve. You will be enriched.

How is the Cold Weather Station related to Operation Cold Front?

Members of the local St. Vincent DePaul Society initiated Operation Cold Front to provide shelter for our homeless neighbors during the extreme cold front that hit our area in January 2024. There was an overwhelming response from our local Church communities and other compassionate individuals. We served together for eight weeks and sheltering 25 individuals during those freezing night. The Lehighton Cold Weather Station has grown out of Operation Cold Front and they are essentially the one and the same.

How is the Cold Weather Station different to other local services such as Family Promise and Peaceful Knights?

We each serve different needs and populations in the community. Family Promise and Peaceful Knights provide much needed transitional housing to a select number of family units (Family Promise) and individuals (Peaceful Knights) that can commit to their programs. Peaceful Knights operates an emergency shelter for men with some restrictions such as a residency requirement, maximum stay of 7 nights and health restrictions. Family Promise’ emergency shelter is scheduled to open January of 2026. The Cold Weather Station is an emergency temporary shelter open to all men and women in need during extreme weather conditions. 

What experience or qualifications do volunteers need?

You do not need to have any specific qualifications or experience just a willingness to serve, listen and learn without judgement. However there is an application and training process. The Cold Weather Station is a completely volunteer run operation so we need people with all types of skills. Some volunteer roles will be working directly with our neighbors in need while others will be “behind the scenes”. You can participate wherever you feel most comfortable. Be assured that we will provide training and support for volunteers working directly with our neighbors in need and you will never work alone.

How can I get involved?

If you are willing, there is a place for you! The Cold Weather Station is a completely volunteer run operation so we need people with all types of skills. Our most urgent need is for overnight chaperones and people to provide transportation but there are lots of vital roles beyond those.

Please connect with us if you would like to learn more:

We are setting up a centralized phone number for the Cold Weather Station but in the meantime, if you need to make contact with us by phone, please call Jessica at 570.952.4244 or Esther at 570.657.6738.

How can I donate money?

The Lehighton Chapter of St Vincent De Paul Society will be handling all monetary donations. You can donate online or by check. Checks should be written to St Vincent De Paul Society with a notation in the memo line  specifying that it is for the Lehighton Cold Weather Station. The mailing address is:

St .Vincent de Paul Society
260 N. 3rd Street
Lehighton, PA 18235

How can I donate goods or food?

Visit our Amazon wishlist and our FaceBook page for urgent needs. We will be accepting donations of new and lightly used items and some food donations but we have very limited storage space. Please contact us by email to confirm the item is needed and make arrangements to pickup/drop off.