ROBESON TWP, Pa.- It started with a Facebook post. A simple message asking for help, saying people living in Reading’s homeless encampments were out of propane. No heat. No way to cook. And bitter cold on the way.
That call didn’t go unanswered. One of the people who stepped up was Dave Devitt, who works at Lezzer Lumber in Robeson Township.
“In winter, it’s a scary time for folks… individuals who are under the bridges, out in the streets,” Devitt said.
He knows that fear firsthand. Dave says he’s been there before, living on the streets himself. Now, he’s in a position to help.
Lezzer Lumber agreed to sell propane at a discount. Dave and his wife covered the rest of the cost. Sixteen propane tanks were filled and delivered.
“Help from others is crucial, especially during the wintertime,” Devitt said. “These people are cold. They’re not scary people.”
For people living outside, heat can mean the difference between getting through the night, or not.
Those tanks were delivered directly to Tent City by Red City Grinders, a local group that has become a lifeline for people in need.
“They need our help,” said Joshua Mogel of Red City Grinders. “It’s about to get really chilly here. And kind of everybody got back to me.”
Red City Grinders started as a small group helping children with cancer. Over time, it expanded to support veterans, families, and people experiencing homelessness.
“They don’t want to be in there. They don’t want to be cold,” Mogel said. “They are actively trying to get out of that community.”
As the cold stretch settles in, groups across Berks County are stepping up.
Opportunity House says it has expanded shelter space during Code Blue conditions and has contingency plans in place to ensure no one is turned away during extreme cold.
For Dave Devitt, the message is simple.
“Take the time,” he said. “Take the time and show some compassion.”