Ways to "Get in the Way" in November

November offers plenty of opportunities to demonstrate, take action on housing, and raise funds for worthwhile local causes.

During the overnight hours of Nov. 16 into Nov. 17, people will be camping out on the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse in a show of solidarity with the homeless. This event is part of the annual sleep out – “One Night Without a Home.” Reserve a spot today with the sponsoring organization, the Norristown Hospitality Center.

Also on Nov. 17, the county’s Homelessness Task Force is scheduled to hold its final meeting prior to issuing a report. This meeting will be in-person at the county Human Services Building. The task force met virtually each month after county Commissioner Ken Lawrence called for its creation in order to address rising housing insecurity and street encampments. These meetings were never open to the public, despite involving the use of county funds and involving many local elected officials.

In fact, the task force stopped recording the Zoom meetings this summer, perhaps in response to Open Records requests for them.

Join us for our own Zoom call on Thursday, Nov. 9, to discuss our response and next steps to this much-anticipated report. For the join link, email montco30percent at Gmail dot com.

Other Upcoming events:

• Comedy fundraiser for Beacon of Hope Church (Pottstown warming center) - Nov. 9

• One Book, One Norristown - Nov. 17, 6 to 8 p.m. at Marshall Street Elementary School. This free arts & literacy fair will feature student performances and info booths. Montco 30% Project will be giving away a few copies of Jerry Spinelli’s books. The Norristown-raised author recently penned a letter-of-support for the project in which he implored the community and its elected council to work together to find solutions to help alleviate homelessness.

• Rahab’s Hope Bingo Fundraiser - Saturday, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. (doors open at noon at St. John's Church, 23 E. Airy St.)

Don’t forget to vote! Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If voting by mail, follow all instructions carefully.