The owners of Marie’s Kozy Korner recently presented the Bucks County Emergency Homeless Shelter with $6,000 raised at its sixth annual chili cookoff. Murielle Kelly, who serves as the shelter’s director of housing services, accepted the check during the Falls Township board of supervisors meeting.
“It’s dear to us,” said Jason Lawson, Falls Township Public Works director and husband of Nancy Lawson, who co-owns the bar with her mother Marie Krotz. “We really don’t want to see anyone struggle, especially the kids.
Each year, the shelter, operated by Family Service Association of Bucks County, houses more than 300 families. Since COVID-19, the need for housing has grown exponentially, according to Kelly. Before the pandemic, the shelter averaged between 30 and 75 people waiting for emergency housing. During the last two years, there have been more than 200 people waiting for services.
“It can take six months to get into the shelter,” she said.
The shelter also operates a housing link help line, which has seen an increase of more than 1,000 calls. Staff are answering 4,500 calls from people experiencing a housing crisis.
Through Dec. 11, Marie’s Kozy Korner is collecting gift items to be donated to the shelter. Visit marieskozykorner.com for more information. In addition to gifts, the shelter is always in need of linens, comforters, pillows, sheets, towels, bottled water and laundry detergent.
