Saint James Parish is a participant in the rotation of local churches that provides assistance to the Samaritan Shelter, located at 466 Main Street.  The shelter, which is run by the Manchester Conference of Churches (MACC), provides 40 beds in a dormitory setting for women and men eighteen years of age and older.  Breakfast and evening meals are served and shower and laundry facilities are available.

Approximately 4 times a year the parish is asked to provide evening coverage for a week.  This includes 2 people to serve the evening meal and 1 or 2 people to stay overnight.  We also need people to help furnish the meal that is served on Sunday night.

Meal Servers (7-10 PM)

With the exception of Sunday night, the meal is already prepared and ready to serve after reheating.  Volunteers are responsible for serving the food (cafeteria setting) and cleaning up.  On Sunday nights the parish is responsible for providing the food.  St. James handles this by having our Shelter Coordinator plan a menu and ask for volunteers to provide whatever we don't purchase.  In the past different groups from within the parish have also volunteered to plan the menu & provide the food.

** Teenagers are allowed to volunteer for Food Service if there is also an adult present.

Overnight  (10 PM - 7 AM)

We must provide at least one overnight volunteer, but there can be two.  The overnight person is there to assist the regular shelter caseworker who also remains overnight.

** Anyone 18 years or older can stay overnight.

First time volunteers will always be paired up with more experienced people.  A month before the week we are assigned to cover a volunteer list will be posted on the front bulletin board (near the rectory).  Bulletin announcements will also be made.

If you have questions please call our Shelter Coordinator, Dave Brannick, at  646-7773.
Coordinators: Pat & Dave Brannick Contact by e-mail
 

Last updated:18 Nov 2004
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