Hypothermia Shelter February 22nd-28th, 2026
Mark your calendar for Hypothermia Week on February 22nd-28th, when we will host our local neighbors for a few nights. This is part of a joint effort in our community to keep its residents inside during the coldest part of winter, as well as offer companionship, food, and resources during a time when shelters are overcrowded.
Volunteering Opportunities
Our volunteers are the heart of our annual Hypothermia Shelter operation. There are several roles our volunteers can take during this week of welcome.
HYPOTHERMIA SHELTER BOUTIQUE LEADER
We’re seeking a volunteer to lead the Hypothermia Shelter Boutique, a makeshift store for Hypothermia Week guests to shop (for free) for warm clothing, toiletries, etc. This volunteer, along with a team of helpers, would help collect the member donations, set up and check on the store, and assess if we need more donations. Contact the office to learn more or sign up!
Other volunteer roles include:
Hospitality - Our guests come from many different walks of life with numerous stories to share! Others simply need a smiling face and a casual conversation for a few minutes. Volunteers who help greet and socialize with our guests see the impact we make firsthand. Come hang out and have dinner, and/or help with functional tasks like light cleaning and safety walks around the property.
Food Preparation - Provide food for our guests by cooking (or preparing) a meal. We set out snacks on arrival, provide a home-cooked dinner in the evening, and like to have a hot food option for breakfast (as well as cereal, eggs, etc).
Cleaning/Setup/Take Down - You can help on Sunday after church to make our Fellowship Hall a comfortable and safe temporary home. Sunday Feb 25 we will be setting up for the shelter and Sunday March 3 we will be packing it away and giving the space a deep clean! We can also use some help a few times during the week carting trash to the landfill.
Donations
If you are unable to volunteer but would still like to help or you’d like to support our cause from a distance, you can do so by donating! Funds will be used to purchase lunch items, paper products and other supplies, and to support transportation for our guests (weekly metro bus passes or gas for their cars). We are also accepting donations of gently used warm clothing, toiletries, new socks/underwear, etc., for our “store.” Finally, we will need $5 and $10 gift cards to places like McDonalds, Starbucks, or Dunkin Donuts to distribute directly to our guests when they leave on Sunday. You may drop them off or mail them to the front office.
Or, you can donate to our Hypothermia Shelter directly, and the money will go toward our most needed items. Click the link below to donate!
Additionally, if any Thrivent members want to support Hypothermia Week by applying for a gift card grant, that would be great!