Harvard Square Homeless Shelter, University Lutheran Church (The)
Faith-based Non-Profit
Last updated . This is not confirmation of current availability; call before travelling.
Available here 5
-
Shelter, Emergency Shelter
The Shelter is typically open from November 15 to April 15. Some Shelter beds are available on an emergency basis. To reserve a bed in the Shelter, call (617...
Needed here 20
-
Food, Canned, Meals, Stew
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Canned, Meat, Chicken
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Canned, Meat, Corned Beef Hash
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Canned, Meat, Tuna
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Canned, Soup ** (ANY/ALL Types)
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Condiments, Jelly
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Condiments, Peanut Butter
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Dry, Fruit, Dried Fruits / Vegetables
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Dry, Grains, ** Cereal, Ready to Eat (ANY/ALL Types)
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Dry, Grains, Rice * (ANY/ALL Types)
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Dry, Mixes, Baking *** (ANY/ALL Types Baking Mixes of Cake, Muffin, Cookies, etc.)
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Dry, Mixes, Dinner, Hamburger / Tuna Helper
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Dry, Mixes, Milk, Powdered
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Dry, Sugar * (ANY/ALL Types of Sugar)
Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways: ...
-
Food, Fresh, Fruit * (ANY/ALL Types)
The following perishable foods may also be donated: apples oranges potatoes squash carrots Please do not bring fresh or frozen meat or fish; f...
-
Food, Fresh, Vegetables * (ANY/ALL Types)
The following perishable foods may also be donated: apples oranges potatoes squash carrots Please do not bring fresh or frozen meat or fish; f...
-
Meal Preparation, Volunteer
Want to get involved in campus ministry? If you're willing and able to help cook an occasional dinner or provide snacks (especially at the beginning of the s...
-
Meal Server, Volunteer
Want to get involved in campus ministry? If you're willing and able to help cook an occasional dinner or provide snacks (especially at the beginning of the s...
Find matches
About this facility
- Service
- Temporary
Notes
In February of 1983, Harvard Divinity School student Stewart Guernsey worked with University Lutheran Church leaders to open a student-run emergency homeless shelter in the basement of the church building. Each winter since then, the Shelter has provided dinner, breakfast, and a place to sleep for 23 homeless men and women each night. It has also provided thousands of Harvard students and others with opportunities to learn about and serve the community around them.
The Shelter is directed entirely by students from Phillips Brooks House Association, Harvard's student-run public service organization. In addition to these volunteer directors, students from many Boston-area colleges and universities, members of the UniLu congregation, and others from the community help with meal preparation, cleanup, etc. each evening. Because it is staffed entirely by volunteers, it is the most inexpensively-run shelter in the state.
The Shelter is funded by government and private contributions as well as donations from individuals. In 1997, the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter Corporation, an independent 501(c)3 organization, was formed to join University Lutheran in a campaign to improve the Shelter facilities.
The Shelter is typically open from November 15 to April 15. Some Shelter beds are available on an emergency basis. To reserve a bed in the Shelter, call (617) 547-2841 at 7:30 A.M.
University Lutheran members are welcome to volunteer at the Shelter, particularly during school break and exam periods. University Lutheran's Shelter Advisory Committee organizes other efforts to help the shelter, including opportunities to provide and prepare meals. See the Shelter Volunteer page for more information.
News articles about the shelter are available on the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter Corporation web site.