Salisbury shelter accepting new intakes, reports progress amidst pandemic

SALISBURY, Md. – The HALO Shelter in Salisbury started accepting new intakes on Monday but officials say they’re taking things slowly to start.

The shelter had to limit the number of people staying there because of the pandemic restrictions but they’ll now house ten men and ten women. Celeste Savage, the shelter’s executive director, says they’re sanitizing and cleaning things on an almost hourly basis, keeping beds at least six feet apart and adhering to all CDC guidelines. Savage says one positive out of the shelter in place order is they’ve been able to work with current residents for longer periods of time which seems to be successful so far.

“Through this period of time because we’ve had more time to interact and they’ve stayed in, we’ve been able to help 23 different families and individuals move in to homes,” says Savage.

Savage says she’s in awe by the amount of support the community has shown them, specifically with meal and monetary donations. HALO’s cafe is still only open for carryout breakfast, lunch and dinner.