BELLOWS FALLS — The Greater Falls Warming Shelter has recently been awarded a grant by TransCanada Corporation for its Warm in Winter initiative.
The $2,000 grant will go towards operations at the shelter, which is open seven days a week to provide emergency overnight shelter for those who are dealing with unstable housing situations.
Now in its sixth year, the shelter is located across the bridge from Bellows Falls in North Walpole, N.H., in a building that has had many uses over the years - including a deli, a tae kwon do studio and a church - and can house ten individuals at a time. Since it opened in mid-November, the shelter has hosted 15 men and women for a total of 358 bed nights. It will stay open until mid-April.
“The contributions we receive from businesses like TransCanada and all the individual donations from community members and organizations make it possible for us to offer this service to our neighbors in need,” said GFWS Board President Louise Luring. “Last year, we sheltered 40 individuals. This year the numbers are down because we have worked collaboratively with Our Place Drop-in Center to help a good number of last year's guests find housing, as well as several of this year's.”
Luring explained that the biggest need now is for volunteers to help staff the shelter during the 12 nighttime hours it is open. Volunteers work in pairs in two shifts, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. and 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. Deborah Clark is in charge of recruiting volunteers and filling the volunteer slots but has found it more difficult this year because a number of her regulars have had to drop out because of illness or other commitments.
“It's a struggle, and I welcome anyone who wants to help out,” said Clark.