By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Mike Busch notes “the number (of homeless people) in America is rising.”

The Rochester man’s passion for the homeless is what led him to help start The Longest Night event in Rochester last year.

That event returns on Saturday, Dec. 21. People may gather from 4:15-5:15 p.m. at the Fulton County Courthouse for an awareness event before going to St. John Lutheran Church, 404 Jefferson St., Rochester, for chili and a brief prayer service.

Busch contacted local social services nonprofit Fulton County Healing Through Opportunity, Positivity and Empowerment about having an event last year, with it now returning for a second year.

H.O.P.E. Board Members Anna Roe and Whitney Yates are also helping lead the event.

Busch noted The Longest Night events happen across the U.S., always held on the shortest day of the year, which is the first day of winter.

“In the bigger cities, there’s usually a memorial service to commemorate those who’ve passed away during the year,” said Busch. “Here, I thought it would be (good) just to make sure we all understood what a homeless person really is.”

He said that could be someone who lives on the streets, as well as those who live in their vehicles or jump from home to home as they don’t have “a permanent place to sleep.”

Roe said people at the event were to hold signs “talking about homelessness in general and in Rochester in particular … because people are still sure that we don’t have any homeless in Rochester.”

Busch noted the significance of having the event on the first day of winter.

“It is the time of the least amount of daylight, which means the least amount of safety, the most threats to folks (who are homeless),” said Busch.

People at the event may give freewill donations to Lighted Pathway (formerly known as the Fulton County Housing Authority Inc.).

The nonprofit provides first month’s rent for people who need a place to stay, explained Virga Smith, who oversees it. To be helped by the organization, people must be renting in Fulton County and have jobs or some other means of financial support, she added.

People may also leave blankets and sleeping bags anytime at the shed porch at the Rochester Optimist Club’s pumpkin stand on East Ninth Street, where Optimist Club member Vicki Onstott is helping collect them.

Busch notes it’s important to remember people without housing this time of year.

“It’s Christmas, and people are feeling generous in wanting to share their tidings with others,” he said. “It’s a good time to remember those on the longest night of the year who could really use a handout during the season, whether it be some basic care supplies or a job lead or a lead on a house to stay for six months until they can get back on their feet and get something better.”