NORFOLK, Va. — We’re all feeling the colder temperatures outside. For people who don’t have a place to stay, this time of year can be especially difficult.
As part of a community effort organized by the Urban Renewal Center, a group of churches in Hampton Roads is giving people experiencing homelessness a warm meal and a warm place to sleep, during the coldest nights of the year.
Jenny Wernly of Trinity Presbyterian Church said her church is one of several opening its doors to people who need a place to stay.
She said this week's shelter is operating at the Basilica of St. Mary's and as the temperatures drop, the number of people seeking warmth at shelters in Hampton Roads is going up.
“There has been a great need this whole season, even on the warmer nights but especially on the cold nights," Wernly said. “We’ve been able to hold about 55 adults who are experiencing homelessness each night. The shelters run from Dec. 17 to March 3 and unfortunately, it has been full most of the nights. We have had to turn people away. There is a great need.”
Jordan Brown of OV Church in Norfolk’s Oceanview neighborhood is also opening its doors to people who need a place to stay.
“Unfortunately, every year I’ve heard a story of somebody who’s probably frozen to death because they did not have a place to stay," Brown said. “The past two nights, we’ve taken on an additional 10 people and we’ve usually grown an average of two or three per day.”
He said his church has noticed a steady increase in the number of people looking for warmth and he’s heard from colleagues at the city-run shelter that they’re also noticing an increase.
“They’ve actually had a lot of overflow the past couple of nights, as well," Brown said.
Due to the overwhelming number of people in need of a warm place to stay every night, Brown and Wernly say they will continue to do whatever they can to help.
“We would just hope that people don’t only get literal warmth, but they also get the warmth of community and care," Wernly said.
The Norfolk church shelters opened in mid-December and will stay open until March.
First Presbyterian hosted the first shelter at the start of December. From now until Jan. 21, a shelter will operate at the Basilica of St. Mary's. From January 21st through the 28th, a shelter will operate at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. From Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, Crossroad Church in Norfolk will open its shelter. From February 4th to the 18th, Trinity Presbyterian Church will open a shelter. And from February 18th to February 3rd a shelter will open at New Life Church.
If you want to help the OV Church, you can sign up for donations or a volunteer shift online. You can also donate online to the Urban Renewal Center to assist in their community-building efforts.