GIFTS shelter to begin season
JANESVILLE — The GIFTS men’s shelter will open for its fifth season on Sunday, Oct. 9.
Churches take turns operating the homeless shelter. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church will play host to the men for the first week of the season, which runs through April 25, 2012.
GIFTS stands for God Is Faithful Temporary Shelter. The organization describes itself as Christian-based shelter for local men who find themselves homeless during the coldest parts of the year in the Janesville area.
GIFTS Vice President Paul Benish said over the past four years, the shelter has housed more than 100 men each season, averaging more than 20 per night. Some 24 churches will participate this year. Thirteen will be host sites. The other nine will provide additional volunteers and resources to the host sites.
Benish said more than 2,000 men, women and children volunteered last year. Volunteers provide meals, staff the welcome desk at check-in each evening, help with setup and cleanup, serve as overnight chaperones, and other work.
GIFTS schedule
The GIFTS men’s shelter has scheduled these dates and locations in Janesville:
- Oct. 9-15—Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 2130 Mt. Zion Ave.
- Oct. 16-22—St. William Catholic Church, 1822 Ravine St.
- Oct. 23-29—Asbury United Methodist Church, 1810 Kellogg Ave.
- Oct. 30-Nov. 5—St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 313 E. Wall St.
- Nov. 6-12—St. John Lutheran Church, 302 N. Parker Drive
- Nov. 13-19—Emmanuel Free Methodist Church, 4224 Whilden Court
- Nov. 20-26—Roxbury Road Church of Christ, 2103 Roxbury Road
- Nov. 27-Dec. 10—Trinity Episcopal Church, 419 E. Court St.
- Dec. 11-17—Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 2130 Mt. Zion Ave.
- Dec. 18-31—St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 1250 E. Racine St.
- Jan. 1-7—Faith Community Church, 2931 Lucerne Drive
- Jan. 8-14—St. John Lutheran Church, 302 N. Parker Drive
- Jan. 15-21—Cargill United Methodist Church, 2000 Wesley Ave.
- Jan. 22-28—Bethel Baptist Church, 3300 Mt. Zion Ave.
- Jan. 29-Feb. 4—St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 313 E. Wall St.
- Feb. 5-11—Emmanuel Free Methodist Church, 4224 Whilden Court
- Feb. 12-18—Cargill United Methodist Church, 2000 Wesley Ave.
- Feb. 19-March 3—Roxbury Road Church of Christ, 2103 Roxbury Road
- March 4-10—St. John Lutheran Church, 302 N. Parker Drive
- March 11-17—Cargill United Methodist Church, 2000 Wesley Ave.
- March 18-24—Bethel Baptist Church, 3300 Mt. Zion Ave.
- March 25-31—St. William Catholic Church, 1822 Ravine St.
- April 1-7—Emmanuel Free Methodist Church, 4224 Whilden Court
- April 8-14—Faith Community Church, 2931 Lucerne Drive
- April 15-21—Asbury United Methodis
Oct 4, 2011 at 2:31 p.m.
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I've been wondering where to send donations. I have bins of clothes that my husband no longer wears that I would rather go to a local shelter than to Goodwill. Thanks for the info :)
Oct 3, 2011 at 12:51 p.m.
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lovemycountry: Donations can also be made at any or all of the churches listed. Just designate the donation to GIFTS.
Mens clothing in good repair and clean can be dropped off at any of the churches during the week they are hosting the shelter.
If you belong to one of the churches their is a need for people to prepare meals.
Oct 3, 2011 at 12:24 p.m.
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Thanks Rocky. Not to sound too preachy, but if everyone that was going to spend $20 on Halloween made in China plastic disposable decorations, sent it to the local men's homeless shelter GIFTS instead, it would go a long way towards funding their season.
Oct 3, 2011 at 11:10 a.m.
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You can find additional information at their website: http://www.gifts-shelter.org/
Oct 3, 2011 at 10:36 a.m.
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Yes, please tell us where to donate and how to sign up to volunteer.
Oct 3, 2011 at 10:13 a.m.
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Gazette Staff - where can donations be sent ?
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