Every year volunteers from each of the parishes donate their time to prepare and serve meals at the REACH cold weather shelter in Downtown Hagerstown.  We know that our traditional activities and interactions have been severely impacted by the global pandemic.  The Reach Cold Weather Shelter IS open for residents this year. The staff has been working diligently to address the issues related to sanitizing and social distancing.

The REACH cold weather shelter provides temporary shelter for homeless adults age 18 and over…those who can care for themselves and are not at risk to themselves or others.  The shelter is open from late October through the first Sunday in April and is operated and staffed primarily by volunteers from churches or organizations on a weekly basis. 

Our Pastorate’s volunteer week is November 8-15, 2020.

On the 8th we will begin with mid-day snack, and on the 15th, we will conclude with breakfast service.  We serve dinner each evening of our week. 

Volunteers are needed to fill a variety of positions at the shelter.   If you are a morning person, you can volunteer to assist with the breakfast service (1-2 people/day). Night owl? Volunteer to be an overnight helper. You may sleep on site or you may remain awake - your choice. Many opportunities to help serve dinner and assist at the shelter from about 5-9pm nightly. 

WHY REACH? Last year the shelter had 213 individuals come through the facility. 6,664 bednights (the number of nights someone slept in a bed, and 59 clients utilized case management services. 3500 people utilized Reach services via day programs, crisis, shelter, and financial literacy.

Your volunteerism is one way to live the mission of the Church. Contact Julie Becker at 240-818-5192 or [email protected] to volunteer, to donate desserts or other products, or to make a financial contribution.