Cold temperatures are bringing more people who are homeless to Lighthouse Mission Ministries’ Drop-In Center.

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February 05, 2019
For people in homelessness, the frigid winter months can be deadly. Volunteers at Lighthouse Mission Ministries and other members of the Bellingham community are fighting to save lives.
Local churches continue to work with Lighthouse Mission Ministries and host a cold-weather shelter at Fountain Community Church. The shelter has been open every night since December and will remain open until the end of February. Last year, church volunteers offered 50 overnight spaces. This year, the cold-weather shelter added 30 more spots when the other shelters reach capacity on the coldest nights.
Hans Erchinger-Davis, executive director of Lighthouse Mission Ministries, said that people experiencing homelessness need our help now more than ever.
“So many of our neighbors are finding themselves outside overnight in dangerously cold weather,” Erchinger-Davis said. “I’m thankful for people who support us. We need locals to continue donating and help care for people who are homeless.”
Street Connect is another program of Lighthouse Mission Ministries to help people stay warm, according to Jessica Hess, a staff member. Volunteers take the Street Connect van out four nights a week to offer support and supplies and invite people to LMM Drop-In Center for shelter.
“In the winter, Street Connect becomes a life-saving mission,” Hess said. We’ll give out cold-weather items like hats, gloves, blankets, hand-warmers and hot cider.”
The dark and icy winter months often make people without homes feel hopeless. But Jon Ng, Outreach Manager of Lighthouse Mission Ministries, said he wants them to realize that people in the community are committed to their safety and care.
“We want people to know they're not beyond help,” Ng said. “They are not beyond our care. We will walk with them all the way to the finish line.”
Anyone encountering someone who is homeless may direct them to the Drop-In Center located at 1013 W. Holly St. in Bellingham.
Lighthouse Mission Ministries has been helping people who are homeless since 1923. It serves more than 300 hot meals daily and provides shelter for up to 250 men, women and children each day. To make a donation or learn more about its services, call (360) 733-5120, or visit www.thelighthousemission.org.