Cold Colorado winter weather is a big problem for Boulder’s homeless population sleeping outside at night.
The Boulder County Shelter for the Homeless has an Emergency Sheltering Program in effect from Oct. 1 through April 30, 2007
RECOMMENDED ITEMS TO
DONATE THIS WINTER:
Sleeping bags
Blankets
Socks
Tarps
Pre-packaged food
Hats
Gloves
Winter clothing
Tents
. Any adult is welcome to stay the night at the shelter during this time.
“Any adult in need of overnight shelter can come to our facility after 5 p.m. daily. Intake begins at 5:15 p.m., and residents can stay until 8 a.m. each morning,” read the shelter’s Web site.
“The best way to help during the holidays would be to make a financial donation to the shelter or food donation. We are also looking for holiday gifts to distribute to residents staying here Dec. 24,” said Janet McLachlan, the volunteer coordinator for the shelter.
Another way to help the homeless this winter is with local churches. St. John’s Episcopal Church of downtown Boulder volunteers for the Carriage House Day Resource Center as well as the Downtown Soup Kitchen Program. Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church of Boulder has volunteers help at the Boulder County Shelter on Tuesday nights.
“I think helping out at homeless shelters is a good thing. I think it is much more helpful than giving homeless people money on the street,” said Ryan Kennedy, a senior applied mathematics and systems major.
HELP NEEDED
The following organizations are seeking volunteers and donations:
Boulder County Cares: www.bouldercountycares.org, (303) 468-4328
Boulder Shelter for the Homeless: www.bouldershelter.org, (303) 442-4646
Emergency Family Assistance Association: www.efaa.org, (303) 442-3042
Icebusters: Contact Sherry Marrazz: marrazzs@bouldercolorado.gov, (303) 441-3157
Longmont’s Snow Chasers: (303) 651-8495
Louisville Snowbusters: (303) 666-7400
Meals on Wheels of Boulder: www.mowboulder.org, (303) 441-3908
Meals on Wheels of East Boulder County: (303) 665-0566
