Code Purple shelters open in Sussex
All Code Purple shelters in Sussex County will be open during the storm and, in some cases, beyond. Eastern Sussex operates cold-weather shelters that remain open until spring regardless of the temperature. For updates in Sussex, call the hotline at 302-519-0024 or email sussexcodepurple@gmail.com.
Western Sussex: On Friday, Jan. 22, people in need of shelter must meet at Hardin Hall, 18 W. Fourth St., Blades, by 7 p.m. for intake and dinner. After dinner, female guests and children will be transported at 8:30 p.m. to Gateway Fellowship, 8110 Cannon Road, Bridgeville. Male guests will be transported to Laurel Nazarene, 94 Walnut St., Laurel. If snowed in, guests will stay at each site for the duration of the weekend. Centenary UMC, 200 Market St., Laurel, will also be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, serving lunch, coffee and snacks. Any volunteers who can assist with transportation of guests should call Vikki at 302-853-0997. Note: Pathways Shelter, Stein Highway Church of God, 425 E. Stein Highway, Seaford, will be closed Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23.
Central Sussex: Milford Community Center, 105 N.E. Front St., Milford. Sanctuary for women and children only. This shelter is available to people in Kent or Sussex. Call 302-725-0770. Georgetown Presbyterian, 203 N. Bedford St., Georgetown. Call Pastor Mike at 302-344-1912 or leave a message at the church at 302-856-6842. Sanctuary is open for extreme weather, but call ahead because of limited availability.
Eastern Sussex: Shelters are open and will remain open until spring, regardless of the temperature. Immanuel Shelter, 37439 Oyster House Road, Rehoboth Beach. Open seven days from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 a.m. Serving men and women. Uses both Conley’s Chapel and Faith UMC Fellowship for Code Purple. Call to verify location at 1-888-634-9992. Soul Ministry, Bethany Beach. Sanctuary operates daily for men and women with support from Christian Community of Churches. 302-632-4289. Day Center: Rehoboth Community Resource Center (CRC) is open to people who are homeless during the day. 302-227-1340.
Many of the Code Purple sites across the state often need more volunteers, and more donations of money. In Sussex County, the sites also need sleeping supplies and food. The list of needed items include: blankets, cots, sleeping bags, towels and wash cloths, hand wipes and sanitizers, feminine products, toothbrushes and toothpaste, disinfectant spray, hats, scarves, gloves, boots, long underwear, coats, hand or feet warmers, bottled water, pre-cooked or frozen meals, instant hot drinks, ready-to-eat food with easy-opening lids, and garbage bags.
“We are so grateful that Code Purple volunteers are there to provide a warm place to stay, a hearty meal and a welcoming hand to people in need,” Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf said. “If you see anyone without a place to go this weekend or at any time during the winter, we urge you to refer them to the nearest Code Purple location or to Delaware 2-1-1 to be connected to services.”
