BELLINGHAM - The severe-weather shelter for the homeless at Garden Street United Methodist Church will open Friday, Jan. 20, for the sixth straight night.
On Thursday night, 71 people sought shelter at the church from continuing cold and the threat of more snow and freezing rain. That was the highest number for the week at the shelter.
Men, women and children are accepted at the church at 1326 N. Garden St. A van operated by Salt on the Street will make the following stops from 5 to 7:30 p.m. to pick up homeless people for transport to the church: Church on the Street and the Rainbow Center on Holly Street, and Faith Lutheran Church, 2750 McLeod Road.
The Interfaith Coalition, which runs the shelter, asks people to call its hotline at 360-788-7983 for updates on when the shelter will be open.
Interfaith needs donations of warm socks for men and women, hand sanitizer and boxes of tissues. Those who want to help are asked to bring these items to Garden Street church.
Interfaith shelters have been open since Sunday night. They sheltered 33 homeless people that night, 54 on Monday night, 65 on Tuesday and 70 Wednesday.
The Lighthouse Mission, as always, will open the doors of its chapel on Holly and F streets to homeless people who want to get out of the cold at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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