Temporary homeless shelter in Lancaster seeks donations
A temporary shelter opened in Lancaster after a state of emergency was declared to address a critical need for space to serve the homeless.
The volunteer-run facility has been working hard to give people a warm place to sleep and provide other resources, but there is also a need for donations.
"We opened on Nov. 4. Within four days, we were completely full in terms of our at capacity," said Shelby Nauman, the CEO of Tenfold.
Tenfold is operating the shelter, which has 57 beds.
Nauman said donations of individually wrapped snack foods – such as crackers or granola bars – are needed, along with foods and drinks that can be made with hot water.
"When you think about if you were out in the cold all day and you wanted to come in and sort of get warm for the evening – so, cup of soup, individual packets of coffee, individually wrapped creamers and things like that," Nauman said.
The shelter is also in need of cold-weather items.
"We definitely need sleeping bags and then other cold weather gear – like hats, gloves and socks," Nauman said.
She said this operation wouldn't be possible without the support of her staff and the community.
"My staff here did not miss a beat. They stepped up and said, 'We need to do this. There's a need. There's a gap right now, and we need to fill it.' It's been such an amazing thing to be part of," she said.
You can drop off donations at 308 E. King St.
The interim shelter will remain available until a new shelter under construction on East Clay Street is finished. The new shelter is expected to open in December.
