Faith in Housing, a coalition of faith groups in the St. Cloud area that works to end homelessness, is partnering with Place of Hope, Lincoln Center and the Salvation Army to assure everyone in need of shelter in this area has a place to go. Their “Overflow Compassion Housing” Program is looking for volunteers to assist with transportation (in a van that is provided), set up each evening and take down each morning.
“There are about 50 people without shelter on any given night in the St. Cloud area. Our committee, along with our housing partners, is working together to ensure that no one has to sleep outside, risking frostbite or worse,” said Molly Weyrens, Faith in Housing committee member. “When the beds are filled in these facilities, cots and mats are made available to assure the guests’ safety and that no one is left outside.”
The program will run seven days a week through the end of April 2026.
The group hosted a Homelessness Summit in November at Atonement Lutheran Church, More than 100 people came together to learn about and understand the current situation of homelessness in Central Minnesota and what response from the community is needed.
“With housing support dollars from the federal government and Continuum of Care Programs through HUD possibly going away or decreased significantly, the threat of more people entering into homelessness is increasing,” Weyrens added. “These changes would also be devastating for people struggling with finding housing and keeping it. We hope this program helps to bridge a gap. Once these individuals are sheltered, they not only find warmth but the resources necessary to move forward toward healthier lives.”
To volunteer, go to the Place of Hope website and click on Overflow Compassion Shelter to start an application: https://www.placeofhopeministries.com/overflow-compassion-shelter.
For more information or make a donation, contact faithinhousing@gmail.com or call 320-828-4465.
Above photo: A sign is pictured in a file photo at a homeless encampment in Seattle. (OSV News photo/David Ryder, Reuters)