REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - The Lutheran Church of Our Savior is now the first women's homeless shelter for Rehoboth Beach. The Code Purple shelter comes after concern for a growing homeless population.
"There's a mens shelter at St.Jude's and they were looking for a place for a women's shelter and we kind of stepped up to that." says church elder Donna Egolf.
The closest women's shelter besides this one is in Milford. Homeless woman Elizabeth August says this new shelter will allow her to worry less about getting through the cold winter nights,
"It would actually help me to stay warm instead of freeze every night... just to be able to get somewhere where I can stay in a bed."
The shelter provides a safe space to sleep from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. but the church also provides clothes, a shower, and food.
St.Jude's in Lewes has had a men's shelter for the last two years and works alongside the Rehoboth Beach church to provide hot meals and a bus ride to each location.
Code Purple is looking for more volunteers, especially in Rehoboth Beach as the women's shelter is still getting started. The church is asking for people to help with hosting overnight stays, checking in guests and more.
If you are interested in volunteering, visit loveincofdelmarva.org.