Heat waves are overworking air conditioners, leading to increased electric bills and a surge in people seeking financial assistance to keep their homes cool.

The RAM House in Roanoke announced it purchased a new building to expand.

The RAM House and the Rescue Mission are adjusting the way they serve guests to help keep people experiencing homelessness safe and cool this summer.

Thanks to a special donor, the RAM House – Roanoke Area Ministries – has the funds, and officials say they’re ready to look for a new place.

Roanoke City leaders gathered Sunday to get input from the public on homelessness.

Homelessness in the Roanoke Valley has been on the rise over the past couple of months, specifically people who are considered unsheltered.

Roanoke Area Ministries’ RAM House is a day shelter for people experiencing homelessness and serves about 150 meals a day. The nonprofit also provides rent and electric bill assistance.

Roanoke Area Ministries received a new van that will help with their mission of alleviating homelessness and hunger in the Roanoke Valley,

At 60 years old, James Bivens ia now experiencing homelessness for the first time in his life.

Pannell’s inspiration to write this play is also what inspired her to use it as a fundraiser for the RAM (Roanoke Area Ministries) House. Pannell’s daughter, Tawanika, loved supporting RAM House before her death in December 2017. It’s free to watch, but Pannell is asking in return for people to donate to the RAM House here. RAM House is a day shelter that offers financial assistance and meals. RAM House started up a coffee festival as a signature fundraising event in 2019, but due to coronavirus decided to not have it this year.

ROANOKE, Va. You can uplift a person in need by writing an encouraging message for #NotesForRam. From your cell phone or computer you can visit Roanoke Area Ministries RAM House website. These encouraging notes are leaving quite the impression on the guests. Second thank you letter for the #NotesForRam campaign (Copyright 2020 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.) Bi-weekly, RAM House posts guests testimonies on how this campaign may have touched them.