Cooperation makes shelter life easier
COLUMBIA - From November through March, communities open 'roaming shelters' that move from church to church, week by week to provide beds, warmth, meals and fellowship to homeless people during the coldest months.
Churches make their space available and volunteers provide the services. Often a professional organization, such as Howard County?s Grassroots, organizes the services, does the scheduling and provides transportation for those seeking shelter.
Locust UMC opened its space the week of Dec. 10, but the services were cooperatively provided with the help of volunteers from Beth Shalom, a conservative Jewish congregation.
Churches offer more than shelter, food, laundry services, transportation and security. 'In the evenings, we offer meals and shelter, and we also sit with our guests and talk with them,' said Debra Wiggins, who coordinates volunteers for Locust UMC.
Locust UMC always welcomes the temporary residents to worship services.
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