First United Methodist Church (Clarksburg, WV, USA)
HOW CAN YOU HELP THE HOMELESS THIS WINTER?
Here's how. First Church, in collaboration with the Clarksburg Mission and members of the Change Initiative, will be operating a winter shelter for the homeless from 8pm until 8am, every night beginning Dec. 3 thru March 17. This will be the ONLY shelter available in the Clarksburg area. We are in need of volunteers to supplement the paid staff. You do not need be a First Church member to volunteer. And
you can volunteer once, once a week, or seven days a week! Here are four different ways you could serve.
1) Provide a sandwich dinner for under 30 people. (No serving needed.)
2) Help check in people (2 hours)
3) Heat up and serve a breakfast that has been provided.
4) Help oversee morning showers. (2 hours)
Following is more detailed information.
1. THE “COT-SIDE” SUPPER:
Many of the groups who participated in the Grab & Go Lunches are continuing to support the homeless, by preparing the “Cot-Side” meals. We have a calendar for signing up to prepare the food that will be served after the late evening check-in. The “Cot-Side” meal will consist of a hot or cold sandwich, fruit and an energy bar or packaged cookies.
2. EVENING “CHECK-IN TIME VOLUNTEERS”:
Each evening we need 3-4 volunteers who would commit to working 7:30- 9:30pm. We are developing a regular rotating schedule. So, if you would consider once per week or every other week, we can get this going. In really bad weather, we will also need a few people to be
“on call”, able to respond in an emergency. Evening volunteers will assist with Check-In, serving evening food/beverages/ assigning guests to cots, orienting them to surroundings. Contact Diana Higginbotham (304-669-3013) to schedule volunteer time.
3. MORNING HOURS VOLUNTEERS:
Between hours of 7:30 and 9:30 AM we need 2-3 people to assist with serving breakfast, and assisting with showers.
If anyone is interested in helping with Breakfast, they can contact Shelly Spellman (304-669-8461). Breakfast will be served every day.
We are hoping to offer showers on Mondays and Thursdays, between 8 AM and 9:30 AM as folks leave the shelter. If interested in helping with Showers call Diana Higginbotham (304-669-3013)
The call for volunteers has also gone out to others in the community. We are excited about this opportunity to serve. There is much yet to do, in organizing shelter supplies, and getting the gym area ready. If you have time to help us over the next 2 weeks, give Shelly or Diana a call.
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