Help Keep Homeless Warm This Winter Through Emergency Shelter Program

BEDFORD CORNERS, N.Y. -- It is hard to believe, but there is a growing number of homeless men and women in Northern Westchester. As the winter approaches, these individuals face the unthinkable challenge of having to sleep outdoors in the freezing cold.

Temple Shaaray Tefila plans to host local men and women this week in an effort to curb homelessness in Westchester County.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

John Haffey

Content Partner: Temple Shaaray Tefila

The Emergency Shelter program began operation in January 2005 at the Bedford Presbyterian Church in Bedford Village, providing shelter for four men. Volunteers from the organizing task force provided coverage each night of that first week, while the American Red Cross provided cots and bedding for the shelter. Once the need for a winter shelter became clear, four other local congregations, including Temple Shaaray Tefila agreed to participate. Eventually, each location provided at least two weeks of emergency shelter over the course of that winter.

Since then, this group effort now called the Emergency Shelter Partnership, provides emergency shelter during November through March. More than 15 religious organizations participate in the shelter.

Temple Shaaray Tefila plans to host local men and women for the week of Nov. 3-9 as part of the ESP, providing them with dinner, a place to sleep and breakfast. The effort was coordinated in large part by Enid Linden and Leslie Timme.

Volunteers can help by providing a meal, either through preparing or serving, socializing with guests, helping to clean up after dinner and supplying breakfast and toiletry bags.

Temple Shaaray Tefila is seeking a person to represent the Temple at the bi-monthly ESP Board meetings. If interested, contact Tony Lembeck socialaction@templest.org.