Winter Shelter 2020-2021

Winter Shelter 2020-2021

ECHOS provides a warm, dry, safe place for homeless families and individuals of Elizabethtown, Bainbridge, Rheems, Marietta, Maytown and Mount Joy to sleep during the winter months at their Winter Shelter.  This is the 6th season that ECHOS will run the shelter and each year has seen an increase in the number of families and individuals who utilize this service.  The shelter is open starting Monday, December 7, 2020 and runs through Friday, April 2, 2021.  Each evening the guests receive a hot, nutritious dinner, a warm, dry, safe place to sleep, breakfast in the morning and a to-go bag for the day.  The shelter is an overnight shelter only, with guests checking in between 6:30 and 8 pm and leaving by 8 am the following morning.


Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, ECHOS will be moving the shelter back to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. They have graciously offered a space that is much larger which will allow for increased social distancing to keep our guests, volunteers and staff safe.


Although the oversite of the shelter is led by ECHOS staff, the shelter is primarily run by community volunteers.  Over 65 volunteers are needed each week.  ECHOS is looking for 200 volunteers to make a commitment of 2-4 shifts each month.  There are 3 volunteer shifts each day, a check-in shift which runs from 6 until 9 pm, an overnight shift (9 pm – 6:30 am), and a morning clean-up shift (6:30 – 8:30 am).  Volunteers are also needed to make meals, do laundry and clean the shelter.


Volunteers who work with the guests are required to attend a training session and submit all necessary volunteer clearances.  ECHOS has 5 training sessions available.  For more information on the winter shelter or upcoming trainings, go to Winter Shelter Training or call 717-361-0740 or email office@echoslancaster.org.