Code Purple declared across Delaware to shelter homeless

DELAWARE – In Delaware, the Department of Health and Social Services has declared a Code Purple to make sure those who need shelter from the freezing temperatures can get it.

As temperatures dip to the single digits and teens with wind chills below-zero, the risk of frostbite and hypothermia increases. Nikki Gonzalez, Executive Director of Code Purple says, “January and February are the most populated at our shelters.”

“In Sussex County we don’t have enough shelter space for the literally homeless so Code Purple and churches have partnered together to offer low barrier shelter,” Susan Kent from Love INC Delmarva tells us.

But in order to stay open they need your help with additional donations and a helping hand. “Donations of toiletries are great but with out actual volunteers here to serve to help clean up to stay over night then we aren’t able to house them,” Gonzalez says.

Seven volunteers during the night shift is crucial. Volunteers would be needed for transportation and bringing in meals.

Another night open gives those who need it the most another chance.

If you happen to come across anyone who needs assistance, Code Purple does have a hotline number: (302) 519-0024.

Here are a list of shelters:

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (Shelter is located in the parish hall.)
202 N. North St.
Seaford, DE 19973
Men only. Check- in 8:30pm. Check-out 7:45am
Meals provided at The CROSS for dinner at 7:00pm

Gateway Fellowship
8110 Cannon Road
Bridgeville, DE 19933
Women (with or w/o children) only.
Check-in 8:30 pm. Check-out 7:45am.
Women can meet at The CROSS for dinner at 7:00pm. Transportation will be provided to Gateway at 8:30pm and then back to Seaford in the morning.

The CROSS building is located at 703 East King Street, Seaford, DE 19973.

Avenue United Methodist Church
20 N Church Street
Milford, DE 19963
Men only (We are not allowed to house sex offenders at this location due to the preschool located inside part of the church. Other arrangements may be made to check in to a different shelter.)
Check-in 8:30pm. Check-out 7:00am.
Meals provided at 7pm-8:30pm. Location: Congregation of the Most High Yahveh-
9 S.E. 2nd Street, Milford, DE 19963.

Milford Nazarene
11 NW Salevan Pl.
Milford, DE 19963
Women (with or w/o children) only.
Check-in 8:30. Check-out 7:45am.
Meals provided at 7pm-8:30pm. Location: Congregation of the Most High Yahveh-
9 S.E. 2nd Street, Milford, DE 19963

Laurel Nazarene
100 Walnut Drive
Laurel, DE 19956
Men & a separate space for fathers with children.
Check-in 7:00pm. Check-out 6:00am.

Renovate Church
800 E. East Street
Delmar, MD 21875
Men Only
Check-in 7:00pm. Check-out 7:45.

Georgetown Presbyterian Church
203 N Bedford Street
Georgetown, DE 19947
Men and Women
Check-in 9pm (Except Saturdays 10pm). Check-out 7:45am.
No dinner provided at this time.
(The Georgetown Presbyterian Church will continue to operate its Emergency Weather Shelter outside of Code Purple dates. During the non-Code Purple season please call 302-601-1GOD (1463) to see if they are open).