Emergency Overflow Shelter Relocated This Winter Due to COVID-19

Rise Up for Homes and Homeless Service Providers Network has been organizing the Emergency Overflow Shelter in New Bedford for years. This year, the shelter will look a little different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rise Up for Homes announced the changes in a Facebook post on Sunday, December 13.

“We would like to provide a 2020 update on the Emergency Overflow shelter. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Emergency Overflow Shelter for the homeless to access during extreme weather conditions will not be at the Sister Rose Shelter this year. The Executive Committee members of the Homeless Service Providers Network have collaborated with the City of New Bedford and Stepping Stone for other options. After several conversations, planning and negotiating a new location that follows COVID-19 guidelines has been confirmed. Our homeless neighbors will not be left out in the cold during storms and severe weather temperatures.”

All of the details are still being ironed out, but a winter storm is expected in the forecast for later in the week. The new shelter location will rely on the support of the community to make sure that those visiting the shelter will have the items they need to be comfortable. “As our homeless brothers and sisters are sheltered during the cold nights and mornings, there are many items needed to clothe and feed our guests."

The shelter is currently looking for donations such as:

Travel-sized toiletries
Shampoo
Soaps
Chapsticks
Deodorant
Hand lotion
Feminine products
Socks
Hats
Gloves
Underwear (for men and women)
T-shirts (for men and women)
Hand and feet warmers
Food items that can be easily heated in a microwave or taken to go when they leave the location in the morning such as soups and other canned goods
Hot chocolate or single-serve waters
Granola bars
Protein bars
Other single-serve foods that can be given out to the guests.