Every winter, Grassroots operates the Cold Weather Shelter with support from the Howard County Government between December and March. We are able to do this thanks to partnerships with the local faith community who offer meals, warmth, kindness and volunteers to support individuals and families who are seeking refuge from the harsh winter. This year was extra special as we expanded the emergency shelter to host the Cold Weather Shelter thanks to $1 million in impactful funding from County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball. This amazing investment from our County Executive allowed us to add 20 new beds to the emergency shelter!
With the support of 18 generous congregations, we sheltered 39 people from the cold, including 11 children, during 116 winter nights. Our faith partners provided 12,740 meals for all 71 people in the emergency shelter, along with greeters and activities for our guests. The Cold Weather Shelter has supported the community for more than 20 years.
Thank you so much to:
– Bethany United Methodist Church
– Bridgeway Community Church
– Christ Memorial Presbyterian
– Church of the Resurrection
– First Presbyterian Church of Howard County
– Glen Mar United Methodist Church
– Grace Community Church
– Kittamaqundi Community Church
– Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church
– New Covenant
– New Hope Lutheran Church
– St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
– St. John Baptist Church
– St. John Lutheran Church
– St. Louis Catholic Church
– St. Paul Catholic Church
– Temple Isaiah
– Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia
We appreciate all of your amazing support in order to keep our neighbors warm and fed during these very cold months. This program would not exist without our partners, as well as the Howard County Government. Thank you – we appreciate you!
