Two Boston day shelters, opened in January, continue to operate at Emmanuel Church and Old South Church (UCC) and will continue through April, according to The Rev. Pamela Werntz, Rector of Emmanuel Church. "We have extended the shelters through the end of April at both sites because of their success, the success of raising funds and volunteers, and the uncertainty about when city day centers will be available," said Werntz.
Material donations are being requested via an Amazon Wishlist, an initiative that Werntz said has
been"wildly successful" so far, adding that donations have arrived from all over the country and from as far away as Sweden and China. As spring arrives, the shelters are investigating the possibility of continuing to provide locker storage space, as well as "cooling center" hospitality when the weather becomes hot.
In addition to the Amazon Wishlist, there is also a list of other material donations needed on the BostonWarm site. Donations can be brought to Emmanuel Church, Old South Church, First Church Cambridge and St. Peter's Church in Weston. The shelters are also in need of volunteers to help unpack and sort donations. To volunteer, fill out one of the forms available here.
--Ellen Stuart Kittle