Wareham Nights of Hospitality Offers Warmth And food

WAREHAM – The tenth year of Wareham’s Nights of Hospitality is up and running. 

Many local churches are offering shelter and/or food to the homeless population. 

Turning Point, located at the Church of the Nazarene, also offers help to those who are in danger of homelessness, cannot pay  utility bills or for children’s needs, access to mental health, help with domestic abuse and more. 

Pastor David Shaw said there are many needs, but one is paramount.  “Staffing is one of our critical needs, particularly the overnight 10:00 pm to 7:00 am shift.  It’s the most difficult one to fill,” he said. 

Since some folks receive assistance from family and friends during the holiday season, Shaw points out that the need increases when it’s over. 

“The first two weeks we had an average of about six or seven people each night.  This past week we’ve had fourteen or fifteen people,” he said. 

Shaw said donations are always accepted.  Some items that go fast are socks, underwear and gloves.  These are needed for men and women ranging in age from twenty to early seventies. 

In 2015, there were over 21,000 homeless people in Massachusetts, including many families with children.              

Below is the Wareham Nights of Hospitality schedule:

January 7-13 …………………………………………………………………. Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene
January 14-20 ……………………………………………………………….. Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene
January 21-27 ……………………………………………………………. St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church
Jan. 28 – Feb. 3 ………………………………………………The Bridge (formerly Emmanuel Assembly of God) —
15 Highland Ave., Onset – 508-295-3111
February 4-10 …………………………………………………………….. St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church
February 11-17 ……………………………………………………………… Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene
February 18-24 …………………………………………………………………………………………………The Bridge
Feb. 25 – Mar. 3…………………………………………………………….. Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene
March 4-10 …………………………………………………………………… Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene
March 11-17 ………………………………………………………………. St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church
March 18-24 ………………………………………………………………. St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church
March 25-30 …………………………………………………………………………………………………….The Bridge