PORT TOWNSEND – Thanks to more volunteer help than ever, Jefferson County’s winter homeless shelter can remain in operation about four additional weeks this season, a representative said Thursday.
Port Townsend resident Kim Hammers, a member of the Community Outreach Association Shelter Team – a nonprofit group of church and nondenominational Port Townsend-area residents – said the shelter in the basement of the Marvin G. Shields American Legion Post will be open from Nov. 25 until March 7.
The shelter will provide dinner, breakfast and bag lunches to those who qualify, plus space for sleeping overnight.
During the 2006-2007 inaugural winter season, the shelter was open from Dec. 10 to Feb. 24 in the basement of the Legion hall at the corner of Water and Monroe streets.
“We’re going into this year, and things are feeling better,” said Hammers, a volunteer for St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church.
“We’re going to have cots this year, so nobody will sleep on the floor.”
Joining the volunteer staff to assist and monitor the homeless men who use the facility are members of the Lions Club and San Juan Baptist Church.
