January 13–20, 2025 — The Pastorate of the Visitation will once again host a Winter Relief Shelter at Our Lady of the Chesapeake to help house and feed area homeless during one of the coldest weeks of Winter in Maryland.
Approximately 60 churches of various denominations across Anne Arundel County participate in this program every year. We have participated in this effort annually since 2007, providing a shelter for up to 35 homeless men and women who visit our church each evening from about 5:15pm until 7:30am the following day. The shelter is set up in The Gathering Place Banquet Hall for that one week. We are responsible for providing the men and women a daily hot breakfast, a bag lunch, hot dinners, snacks, showers, and a safe, warm place in a loving, Christ-centered environment to spend the cold winter nights.
The men and women are picked up at the Intake Center in Glen Burnie which screens them for any behavior issues. The Intake Center also may administer alcohol and/or drug tests in addition to police background checks before allowing them into the Winter Relief Shelter Program. We transport our guests from the Glen Burnie Intake Center to The Gathering Place each day, arriving at the church between 5:15pm and 6:00pm. Dinner is served between 6:00pm and 6:15pm. After dinner, it’s free time until 10:00pm. Free time includes various ministries, plus activities such as watching DVDs/videos; and playing checkers, chess, cards, and other games. Lights are out at 10:00pm. Breakfast is served at 6:30am, and we then transport our guests back to the Intake Center in Glen Burnie between 7:00am and 7:30am.
We are now welcoming volunteers to sign up. Here is a description of our volunteers needed:
- Set up: This position is for Monday morning set up prior to the opening of the shelter. Help to set up cots, tables, food area, etc. Hours are from 7am–10am.
- Lunch Prep: Help Bodkin Elementary students to make lunches for our guests. Time is usually mid-morning at OLC
- Greeter Coordinator: Stays at front table in the lobby to sign in guests and visitors. This position sign up is usually in 2-hour time slots
- Dinner Coordinator: Coordinates dinner food, prep and server help for shelter week.
- Dinner Assist: Assists in preparing and serving dinner during shelter week. Can volunteer for one night on many.
- Evening Hosts: Visit with guests and give them kind company. Ie: play cards, share stories, help with things they need. The hours are 5pm to 10pm. We will take 1 hour to 5-hour slots.
- Overnight Help: Stay night with guests. Very quiet slot. Great time to catch up on reading or when you need quiet time. Hours are 10pm–6am.
- Breakfast Coordinator: Coordinate breakfast food, prep and server help for shelter week
- Breakfast Assist: assists with preparing and serving breakfast during shelter week. Can volunteer for one morning or many.
- Morning Coordinator: organizes morning exit activities
- Breakdown /cleanup: breakdown shelter and clean up gathering space. Last Monday morning of the shelter. Hours are 7am–10am.
If you would like more information or would like to sign up, please contact olcwinterrelief@gmail.com.
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
– Matthew 25:40