Effort underway to secure vacated Troop 7 as shelter again

As five Code Purple homeless shelters in Sussex County gear up for Dec. 1 openings, a site in the Cape Region is not on the schedule – yet.

According to House Speaker Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, the wheels are in motion to secure the former Delaware State Police Troop 7 building on Route 1 near Lewes. The building, vacated in December 2019, was used last winter as a temporary homeless shelter. The new Troop 7 is located on Mulberry Knoll Road adjacent to Love Creek Elementary School.

“We are in the process of obtaining Troop 7 again, but we have to go through the process,” he said.

That process includes approval for the proposed use by the Commission on State Surplus Real Property. “I don't see why we can't do it again this year. It's just a matter of time,” Schwartzkopf said.

He said a push is also on to keep the shelter open every night regardless of the temperature, like a traditional Code Purple shelter. Last year, the shelter was open only when the temperature was below 32 degrees.

Love Inc. of Mid-Delmarva, based in Seaford, uses donations and trained volunteers to operate the Code Purple program each winter.

Elected officials and local churches rallied last winter to get use of the former troop building for a Code Purple shelter when no other location was available. After getting the go-ahead from state officials, volunteers were able to get the building converted to a shelter in one day, opening on Jan. 20. The shelter was only open when the temperature was forecast to be below 32 degrees, a stipulation placed on use of the building by state officials.

In addition, Immanuel Shelter in Rehoboth Beach raised enough funding to provide hotel vouchers for 20 homeless people each night starting in January. A network of churches, civic organizations, businesses, restaurants and families provided nightly meals at both locations.

So far, the closest approved shelter to the Cape Region is at Grace Presbyterian Church, 203 North Bedford St., Georgetown. It's open to men only from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and 11 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Saturdays. There is not a plan in place for meals.

Shelters will also be open at Laurel Nazarene Church for men, Milford Nazarene Church for women and children, Avenue United Methodist Church in Milford for men, and Grace Church in Seaford for women.

COVID-19 restrictions

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Code Purple shelters will operate differently this year. Those wanting to stay in a shelter at night must reserve a bed via telephone that day between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Most shelters are open 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. every night regardless of the weather. During the call, a COVID-19 pre-screening will take place. At the shelter, additional questions will be asked and temperatures will be taken.

Because of social distancing requirements, shelter occupancy will be restricted because beds must be at least 6 feet apart. Masks must be worn by everyone at a shelter at all times except when guests are in bed.

Meals, traditionally prepared by volunteers and delivered to sites, will also have a different look. Some shelters are steering people to free off-site meal locations, while others have no plans to offer food. Organizers say they plan to offer to-go food bags.

Donations are needed

Donations can be dropped off at various locations throughout Sussex County. Needed items include paper products, cleaning supplies, pillowcases, sheets, pillows, cases of water, sugar, coffee, creamers, plastic gloves, bleach, trash bags and laundry soap.

Also useful are DART bus cards, socks, travel-size toiletries, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, gloves, winter wear, hand and feet warmers, T-shirts and long underwear. See a complete list of items and drop-off points at codepurplesussexcounty.com.

Area donation drop-off sites include (hours are Monday-Friday): DryZone, 16507 Beach Highway, Ellendale, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Adams State Service Center, 546 S. Bedford St., Georgetown, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and State Farm Insurance - Emory Agency, 26050 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monetary donations can be mailed to Love Inc. of Mid-Delmarva, PO Box 542, Seaford, DE 19973, with Code Purple on the memo line.

Homeless hotline: 302-519-0024

To schedule a bed: 302-629-7050

Code Purple information: 302-956-6006

Shepherd's Office has food program

Jim Martin, who operates Shepherd's Office, an outreach program for the homeless in Georgetown, said he and his volunteers will try to bridge the gap by providing one meal per day on weekdays, and possibly adding a Saturday breakfast. They have been serving nearly 150 meals a day for more than a year. He uses a combination of donated food from chefs, restaurants and churches and bagged to-go meals.

Martin said the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the homeless especially hard, and he's worried about services this winter. Martin said because of health restrictions, many existing shelters and programs have had to cut back and make adjustments. Volunteer-run groups are concerned about liability if someone gets sick or dies from the virus, he said. “I think it's going to be a tough winter for the homeless,” he said.

Shepherd's Office, at 408 N. Bedford St., is not a shelter but is open to provide outreach and supplies to the homeless. “We offer them the tools such as food and resources to survive outside,” he said. “It's come down to surviving one day at a time. It never ends. It's like we are warriors on a battlefield of despair.”

To donate food, money or other supplies, contact Martin at 858-4547.