The past few years have seen an increase in awareness and response to homelessness in Rock Hill. In 2007 the United Way, Salvation Army, City of Rock Hill, York County, and others, initiated the first local men's warming center. Bethel United Methodist Church joined that effort, and is now serving as the men's winter shelter for 2009-2010.
This work-in-progress to address homelessness is becoming known as "the Bethlehem Project". It's about sharing room, resources, and more. Join in. Call the church office at (803)327-4881, or email at bethelrockhill@gmail.com.
Here is our updated list of material needs. Monetary donations supply the shelter staff and utility costs. Drop items by the church office Mon.-Thurs. (9am to 2pm), or make arrangements to come by during shelter hours to meet the men personally.
Basics
- sheets (x-long twin)
- towels & washcloths
- sanitizer, soap, shampoo
- dental products
- deodorant
- kleenex & toilet tissue
Other
- batteries (all sizes)
- laundry detergent
Food Prep
- paper products
- utensils
- to-go boxes
- storage bags
- coffee supplies
Creative
- writing, art supplies
- envelopes & stamps
- DVDs, books, games
*Staff: We're fundraising right now to provide the paid on-site supervisors; our cost is roughly $250 per week.
You or your organization can donate and provide for one or several weeks of the shelter staff.
Gifts and donations
are tax-deductible.
(Let us know if
you need a receipt.)
Consider volunteering. It's absolutely vital.
Be present as an extra pair of hands, or in conversation and fellowship; Help maintain shelter space with routine cleanup, repair and renovation; Offer services to help the guests with job acquisition, housing, counselling, rehabilitation, education; and hopefully much more.
Check the Volunteer Timeline and our Volunteer Guidelines.
- Male volunteers every Thurs./Sun. night (btwn 7-10pm). It's the designated time for guests to access our showers, but someone must assist the staff.
- Laundry helpers to wash the guests' linens monthly. Cover the cost/labor of going to a laundromat, stripping down and/or remaking the beds.
Interested? Call (803)327-4881 or click here to sign up.
The shelter will be open 100+ nights. Can you imagine the cost/labor of feeding up to 16 guys per night? But individuals and groups from all over our area, representing different families, organizations and faith backgrounds, have responded by sharing the task.
Want to help with meals? Here are some options:
- Prepare or buy a meal, then come and serve dinner at 6pm when the doors open.
- Bring "to-go" food for the guys in the morning (prepackaged, like crackers, snack bars, etc.)
- Join the waiting list to provide a "back-up" meal in case food volunteers can't make it.
During mealtime volunteers can interact with the guys as much as they feel comfortable. It's an awesome way to build relationship with them. The shelter staff will be present during the meal to supervise the guests and assist you.
*Contact the church office to sign up. For info on how many have been coming, and what has been prepared, check the calendar.
1232 Curtis Street
Rock Hill, SC 29730
(803)327-4881
The shelter operates from the church gym: volunteers serve meals out of the kitchen; the men dine in the main gym; and the guests' living space is upstairs.
Bethel is a member of the Rock Hill District of the United Methodist Church, and was organized here in the Aragon Mill area over 100 years ago.