NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 27, 2021
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Joel Kilgour, Chum Warming Center coordinator
218-340-4356
Jill Keppers, Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth executive director
218-529-6341
Preparations in progress for Chum Warming Center; volunteers and donations sought
With winter approaching, preparations are underway to again offer a warming center to ensure a safe night time space for people who are experiencing homelessness in the Duluth area. Organizers are seeking volunteers and donations now in order to be ready when the first cold night arrives.
CHUM staff will always be present when the warming center is open, however at least two volunteers are needed every evening, from approximately 7:30-10 p.m.; and in the morning, from approximately 7-9 a.m. Volunteers help with a variety of duties including clean up, set up, serving coffee and distributing clothing and hygiene supplies. Volunteer opportunities are also available when the building is not open to guests, including for sorting donations and cleaning.
Volunteers must be 18 years or older, and are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Because many of the warming center's guests live with high barriers to housing and shelter, including untreated mental illness and substance use disorder, volunteers should have compassion, healthy boundaries, and an ability to adapt to changing needs. The direct link to sign up to volunteer is: Warming Center Volunteer Sign Up (google.com). The link also can be found at chumduluth.org/warmingcentervolunteers.htm. Anyone with questions about volunteering should contact Joel Kilgour at 218-340-4356.
The warming center is open nightly, November 1 and April 1, as long as there are adequate staffing levels. The Warming Center will initially be located at the Rainbow Center downtown, 211 North 3rd Avenue East, but will move to a new, permanent location in Lincoln Park once renovations at the new site are complete. The warming center is a collaboration between CHUM, Loaves & Fishes, the City of Duluth, St Louis County and the Duluth HRA.
In addition to volunteers, the warming center also relies on donations of a variety of supplies in order to operate. Supplies that are regularly needed include socks (cotton and thermal, adult sizes); men’s and women’s underwear (new); winter coats, hats, gloves and mittens in adult sizes; hand warmers and foot warmers; backpacks and reusable bags, granola bars and coffee.
Donations can be brought to Dorothy Day House, 1712 Jefferson Street, Duluth) between noon and 7 p.m., Monday-Saturday; or to CHUM, 102 West 2nd Street, Duluth, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.
###
|
