Rochester warming center officials seeking donations

6:10 a.m.


ROCHESTER - The city's warming shelter- now moved to the National Guard Armory on Brock Street - is seeking donations to help provide the homeless there with services, food and items they might need.

The new 24-hour warming shelter will remain open for 24 hours a day until a decision is made to cease operations. Additional volunteers are needed for the duration of the shelter. Those who wish to sign up can do so by calling 978-378-5094.

In order to assist with the ongoing homeless prevention efforts at the warming shelter and supporting agencies serving the homeless in the region, donations will be accepted at the Community Action Partnership of Strafford County office, located at 10 Cold Spring Manor.

The Community Action Partnership of Strafford County office will be accepting donations on Friday Jan. 5 from 12-6 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The following items are needed:

 Winter jackets (adult sizes small through plus size for both men and women)

 Winter boots (outdoor boots men and women sizes 7-12)

 Snow pants (men and women all sizes)

 Ski gloves and mittens

 Subzero sleeping bags (new)

 Sleeping mats for camping (new)

 Large and extra-large duffel bags

Note: Donations must be new or slightly used and clean.

Gift cards in amounts ranging from $10-25 for the following:

 Gas cards

 Rite Aid/Walgreens/CVS

 Salvation Army

 Goodwill

 Walmart

 Market Basket

 Dunkin Donuts

 McDonald's or Wendy's

Monetary donations to purchase the following:

 Bus passes from COAST (agencies can purchase as needed, donors can designate)

 Hotels for bitterly cold nights or when shelters are booked

 Special supplies such as formula, medication refills, etc.

 Documentation such as driver's license, birth certificate, etc. to help obtain services, medical benefits, military IDs

 Transportation for clients that can access permanent living out of state with family but do not have the financial means to get there

In addition, clients are in need of specific services to help obtain transportation and housing, such as:

 Car repair assessment and possible donated work or at a reduced rate

 Legal assistance for housing and criminal issues

 Available housing that accepts Section 8, VASH, or sliding scale

"We are so proud to see the community coming together to help those in need during this terrible weather," Mayor Caroline McCarley said. "Anyone who is able to donate, even a few items of clothing or volunteering their time, is encouraged to do so."

Donations can be made payable to Community Action Partnership of Strafford County. Please include Regional Emergency Consolidated Donations in the memo line. Donations can also be mailed to CAPSC, Attn: Advancement Office, PO Box 160, Dover, NH 03821-0160 or made online at straffordcap.org/donate. Please note Regional Emergency Consolidated Donations in the comments when making your online donation.

"This shelter will provide much needed relief for many residents in our community," City Manager Dan Fitzpatrick said. "We hope that we will be able to serve even more people with the donation center opening tomorrow."

Questions regarding donations should be directed to 603-435-2500 ext. 8138.