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Social Media Post Helps Raise Money for Homeless Family

WILLIAMSPORT — Nancy Wenzel talked up a storm with some new friends while rocking comfortably in a chair at Family Promise, a homeless shelter on Hepburn ...

WILLIAMSPORT -- Nancy Wenzel talked up a storm with some new friends while rocking comfortably in a chair at Family Promise, a homeless shelter on Hepburn Street in Williamsport.

On Monday, Nancy and her daughter Linda were living on the streets.

“Here, there, and all over from Brandon Park to just on the streets,” said Nancy Wenzel.

Back in September, rent became too high and the two were evicted from their mobile home in Linden.  Recently, the mother and daughter have been sleeping under the Market Street Bridge in Williamsport. That's where Allyson Ungard noticed them during Monday night's storm.

"It broke my heart. They were huddled really close together trying to stay warm,” said Allyson Ungard.

"Here's these eyes looking at me, actually treating me like I am human again," said Linda.

"I've never seen a homeless person, so it kind of like shocked me. At the same time, I also just wanted to help," said Ricky Stryker.

Allyson and her friend Ricky brought some dinner to the pair, then snapped a photo. Ricky posted it to social media the next morning.

In less than 48 hours, Ricky and Allyson's post had been shared over 4,000 times all over the world.

"We were kind of glad they did something. [We] had no idea it was going this far," said Nancy.

Allyson is using the post's popularity to help raise money for the mother and daughter. She's set up a donation fund online. Family Promise says it will match those donations up to $1,000.

"I'm just so appreciative they're around. It's just immaculate. It's just amazing period," said Nancy.

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