Downtown Daily Bread opens year-round overnight shelter

An overnight shelter in Harrisburg has opened and will remain open all year long.

Downtown Daily Bread on South Street announced this week that its overnight shelter is open and now operating on a year-round basis from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Historically, Downtown Daily Bread's overnight shelter operated only during the winter months. However, the nonprofit recently received $500,000 from the city of Harrisburg to operate the overnight shelter year-round. The shelter will have the capacity for up to 50 individuals. The nonprofit will also provide support services and meals. The year-round shelter will operate until December 2026.

The funding is from the American Rescue Plan.

"We are deeply grateful to the City of Harrisburg for recognizing the need and stepping up to make this possible," Corrie Lingenfelter, executive director of Downtown Daily Bread, said in a news release. "Extending our shelter to a year-round service has been a long-standing dream. This is about more than just a place to sleep; it's about dignity, safety, and community support every day of the year."

In addition to the overnight shelter, Downtown Daily Bread will continue offering day shelter services, hot meals, access to showers, mail services, and essential items to meet the basic needs of those facing housing instability.

Christian Churches United also received $500,000 to run a year-round overnight shelter. Christian Churches United will partner with Grace United Methodist Church on State Street in the city, to run an overnight shelter for up to 25 women and nonbinary individuals with the potential to offer emergency shelter to an additional five people on a short-term emergency basis.