Homeless Persons Memorial Day service set in Dover Dec. 21

Delawareans will gather for a candlelight service to remember individuals who died, and to call for an end to homelessness at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 21, on The Green in Dover.

Housing and homeless advocates, service providers, homeless and formerly homeless people, religious leaders, and concerned citizens will honor the lives and dreams of homeless men and women who died this year in Delaware, and will renew their commitment to end homelessness.

Homeless Persons Memorial Day is an annual event observed in more than 180 cities and counties across the United States to commemorate community members  who have lost their lives to homelessness. The service is held annually on Dec. 21, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year. Advocates gather to remember the lives of the mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who died on the streets or in emergency shelters from illness or conditions directly related to their homelessness.

Open to the public, the memorial event will feature a ceremonial reading of the names of persons who died in the past year.

Donations of mittens, gloves and socks will be accepted for the hands and feet of neighbors who are homeless.

Housing Alliance Delaware, the organizers of the Dover event, call attention to this time of economic hardship for many Delawareans.

“We saw a 35 percent increase in homelessness in Delaware in 2021, and shelters and food pantries cannot meet the increased demand,” said Rachel Stucker, executive director. “We use this occasion to call on all Delawareans to commit to providing affordable housing, emergency shelter and medical care for our most vulnerable citizens.”

Anyone who is homeless and in need of emergency shelter may call 1-833-FIND-BED or email intake@housingalliancede.org.

To learn more and see Housing Alliance Delaware’s annual report on housing and homelessness, go to housingalliancede.org.