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Dear Friends of Room In The Inn,

This is our 15th season of food, shelter, and clothing for those in need. By the numbers for the months of November, December, and January we have provided 765 room nights, 2299 meals, and the average age continued as 49, same as December.

A special thank you to Bethany Church of Wanchese, All Saints Episcopal, Grace Lutheran, OBX Presbyterian Church, and Liberty Church for blessing those in need and OBX Room In The Inn this last month with their support. With the cost of food so high, our church partners have stepped up to meet the need. For this, and many reasons, we are in awe of their generous support.

The Mission of the OBX Room In The Inn, a faith-based organization, is to provide hospitality, food, and shelter, to homeless adults in the Outer Banks during the winter months and support services year-round.

Recently we were asked what type of services do we provide for our guests? First, we couldn’t do any of these services without our partners in community like Community Care Clinic, Interfaith Community Outreach, Dare Challenge, Crossroads, Outer Banks Relief, YMCA, United Way, Beach Food Pantry, Albemarle Food Pantry, all the local government resources, Outer Banks Hospital and the many service organizations that help us throughout the year.

Some of the services we have provided this year:

– Assisted three guests to Elizabeth City to apply for new social security cards so they could find employment. Two are currently employed. Unfortunately, sometimes our guests don’t know or have transposed a number in their social security number. When that happens the online portal is no help and a trip to the nearest office is required in Elizabeth City.

– Assisted one guest with obtaining an eye exam and eyeglasses. Assisted the same guest with completing applications with Interfaith Community Outreach and Outer Banks Relief Foundation for assistance with dental work. This guest needs most of his teeth pulled and dentures/bridge. Those services are approved and have begun. This would include numerous phone calls, emails, and transportation to appointments. Extra care for the guest, special diet, and accommodating their needs that are different than our normal concerns.

– Assisted one guest in getting connected with Crossroads to assist him with getting into therapy. The guest has attended his first appointment and his second appointment is scheduled next week. Crossroads will assist guest in applying for insurance.

– Assisted two guests into detox thanks to several of our partnerships.

– Assisted one guest in connecting with a local dentist for an exam and cleaning.

– Assisted one guest in connecting with Interfaith Community Outreach to help with his car payment until he received his first paycheck, we also helped this guest with his cell phone so it would not be cut off. This guest obtained employment and is getting back on track.

– Assisted one guest with obtaining his birth certificate through Alaska so he could obtain an ID and social security card. Often guests need several documents to find employment. It is our goal to help our guests get employment and be able to care for themselves.

Additionally, the Outer Banks Health van was onsite at the intake center on Jan. 9 to provide health screens, A1C and flu shots to our guests. The health van is scheduled to return in July, after season ends. This will allow us check- in with guests, have another health screening and address additional needs they may need.

Thanks to the numerous people who donate funds, services, supplies and clothing, we are able to do all that we can to help. Our greatest desire is to be a year around shelter and be able to go further to break the complex issue of homelessness.

Please consider making a reoccurring monthly donation of $20.25 to support your neighbors experiencing homelessness, go to givebutter.com/dS5tB1. Together, we can create solutions to help everyone feel the warmth of home.

If you or your church might be interested in supporting the efforts, check us out on our website obxroomintheinn.org or call 252-255-1133 for more information and join us!

Thank you to everyone for supporting those in need and for partnering with Room In The Inn! It truly takes a village!

To whom much is given, much is required.

Shari Fiveash, President/CEO

OBX Room In The Inn

111 W. Carlton Ave.

Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

252-255-1133

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