Each year, January through March, The Samaritan Group, a Kent County nonprofit, operates the overnight emergency winter shelter for those in our Kent County community who are experiencing homelessness.
When the doors open each evening, the shelter’s guests are welcomed into a safe, warm space for the night. The shelter’s staff facilitate this process with invaluable support from volunteers who greet guests, provide dinner, share conversation, pack lunches for the next day, and provide whatever other assistance the shelter’s staff needs.
If you would like to become a part of The Samaritan Group’s volunteer team, please apply to be a volunteer for the 2024 shelter season!
As a volunteer, you will decide how often you volunteer and choose shifts that suit your schedule. The shelter is open for 13 weeks and each week there are 28 volunteer shifts that need to be filled, so there is plenty of opportunity to serve the community and flexibility in how you do so. Whether you choose to be a dinner host for a single meal or are inspired to sign up to be an evening host once a week, your time and energy will be welcome!
Daily volunteer opportunities at The Samaritan Group Shelter:
Evening Host Volunteers (2 per shift)
● 5:30-10pm shift
● support the Shelter Director with welcoming guests
● ensure shelter expectations are met throughout the evening
Meal Host Volunteers (1-4 per shift)
● 5:45-7:30pm shift (approximate)
● provide nutritious dinner & serve to shelter guests & volunteers at 6pm
● join guests for dinner & conversation
Overnight Volunteers (1 per shift)
● 10pm-8am shift
● sleep overnight in separate volunteer space
● in the event of an emergency, provide support to the paid overnight staff
While volunteers sign up for individual slots, you are welcome to coordinate with friends, family, or groups to share in the volunteer experience. Invite a friend or partner to also apply to be a volunteer and choose shifts where you can volunteer together. We also encourage volunteers to reach out to members of your book group, religious community, exercise class, or other group to join you in providing and hosting a meal!
