Wicomico Cold Weather Shelter opens Saturday, more volunteers needed
SALISBURY, Md. – Food, shelter, and – most importantly – a warm and safe place to stay at night. That’s what the Wicomico Cold Weather Shelter is offering those in need in our community in the coming winter months. “They will be very appreciative of this opportunity to be in this space, to be warm, to have a meal, and to have ability to have showers,” said Community of Joy’s Pastor Martin Hutchison.
Starting Saturday, men who are homeless in Wicomico County will have another place to rest at night if local shelters get too full. The Wicomico Cold Weather Shelter will be in the Langeler Memorial Building. The temporary shelter will be able to house and feed 30 men each night until March 27th.
Coordinator of the Community Emergency Shelter Project Walter Davidson says extra space for some of Wicomico County’s most vulnerable community members is desperately needed. He says that’s because local shelters are dealing with reduced capacity amid COVID-19. “They have reduced numbers that they can take in. So even before COVID, the Christian Shelter and HALO were sometimes full,” said Davidson.
Along with being provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the men who stay at the shelter will be given face masks and hand sanitizer. Beyond Your Walls will also be bringing their mobile shower trailer to the shelter two days a week. The men will also be screened for COVID-19 to make sure they and the volunteers stay safe and healthy.
Davidson says while things are looking different this year because of COVID-19, the need for this shelter goes back almost two decades. “This started 17 years ago when three men froze to death in that one year because of it. Since then, it’s continued on,” said Davidson.
Pastor Hutchison says his church and others will be volunteering to cook meals and check men in and out. But Pastor Hutchison says they still need more hands on deck, including two men who can stay overnight. “The churches have shouldered this opportunity to be a blessing to this population. Now because of the pandemic, the opportunity to get the community involved in a wider way is here,” said Pastor Hutchison.
If you’d like to volunteer at the shelter, click here. If you’d like to help out with cooking or providing meals, click here. You can also reach out with any questions by emailing WicomicoCESP@gmail.com.
