With the Governor's announcement, Operation Overflow posted the following and is seeking warming shelter volunteers.
On Friday until 4 p.m., the Armory and City Hall will function as warming centers.
On Friday, Trinity will serve as a warming center from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will be open all day on Saturday, as a warming center. On Sunday, Trinity will open as a warming center at 11 a.m.
Staff could use assistance while the warming center is at Trinity. Please reach out to the Y to volunteer; apply at https://www.nwcty.org/volunteer/ or reach out to Willem Donahue at wdonahue@nwcty.org. You can also come to Trinity Church during the warming center hours, and assist as you can - talk with people, play cards, etc.
IF YOU WANT TO DONATE ITEMS TO OVERFLOW, PLEASE DROP THEM OFF AT THE SHELTER (220 PROSPECT STREET) DURING SHELTER HOURS, BETWEEN 8 p.m. AND 7 a.m. If you have questions, contact Conrad at conradsank@gmail.com.
On January 8, an Operation Overflow meeting was held - in person - to reconnect with each other and discuss how Operation Overflow can assist Project Overflow this winter.
Len Bosco spoke about how the Y is running the shelter at Trinity Church (220 Prospect Street) daily from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., and how people can assist them. The shelter currently has about 24 guests each night.
You can volunteer at the shelter via the Y. Apply at https://www.nwcty.org/volunteer/ or reach out to Willem Donahue at wdonahue@nwcty.org. Volunteering could involve monitoring people in different areas of the building, connecting with guests, and assisting staff with different duties. It could be for two or more hours or a whole shift, likely awake. Volunteers are especially needed during cold weather events when the shelter is open as a warming center.
You can donate money to the Y for the shelter: https://www.nwcty.org/donate/
Shelter wish list:
- Bus Passes (one card with ten rides is $15.75, a monthly card is $63)
- Laundry gift cards
- Gas cards (for guests with cars)
- Uber gift cards (for those who don't have cars)
- Y and Planet Fitness memberships (for showers and exercise)
- Lysol spray cans
- Hand warmers
- New gloves
- New socks and underwear
- New boots
- Covid tests
- Playing cards, games, puzzles
- Cups, creamer, sugar, bottled water, hot cocoa packets or K-cups
- Microwavable items (mac and cheese, etc.)
- New clothing and shoes - The preference is to donate a few items at a time to people who need them, as Overflow lacks space to store unused donations. Come to the shelter and talk to staff about which guests need clothing and what their sizes are. Large clothing donations can go to the Gathering Place (see below)
Meals: Community Soup Kitchen of Torrington, 220 Prospect Street (Maiden Lane entrance). Breakfast is served on weekdays at 8 a.m., Monday-Saturday lunch at 11:30 a.m., and Sunday lunch at 1 p.m.
Volunteer at the Soup Kitchen: https://torringtonsoupkitchen.com/volunteer/ or call (860) 482-0130. They have expanded hours to serve as a warming center in the morning and evening.
Large clothing donations: These donations can go to the Gathering Place, 21 Prospect Street, Suite A (860) 618-3455. This is a drop-in center with showers, washing machines, clothing, and referrals. Weekdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Monetary donations: Monetary donations can also be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, for heating, plumbing, etc. at 220 Prospect Street (860) 482-6027 https://www.trinity-torrington.org/donate
Please consider volunteering or donating goods or money to any of the above-mentioned organizations that are helping to shelter and feed the neediest among us. |