Safe Shelter

We will find safe, indoor shelter for anyone who wants or needs it in this extreme weather. If you need help or know someone who needs help, contact one of our emergency helplines: (785) 760-1481. or (785) 813-9483.

Yes! Anyone interested in volunteering at the emergency shelter at LCS can sign up online at lawrenceshelter.org/volunteer. Or contact the LCS Volunteer Program Manager, Mercedes Roland, mroland@lawrenceshelter.org.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the emergency shelter at the Santa Fe Depot can sign up online at: https://bit.ly/47A7vmW. The Santa Fe Depot will be open 24 hours during this extremely cold weather and both four-hour and eight-hour shifts are available throughout the day.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont St., can sign up online here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094BAFA82BAAF49-47200553-overflow. All volunteers should enter through the far south door of the church, which will open nightly at 5:55 p.m.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the University Community of Christ, 1900 University Drive, can sign up online here: https://www.volunteerdouglascounty.org/need/detail/?need_id=891800.

There are multiple places where people can stay safe and warm overnight during winter weather:

• A winter emergency shelter at the Lawrence Community Shelter (140 people)
• Overflow shelter: A volunteer-run shelter at First United Methodist Church (25 people)
• Overflow shelter: A volunteer-run shelter at University Community of Christ (25 people)
• A City staff and volunteer supported emergency shelter at Santa Fe Depot (40 people)
• Hotel rooms provided by the Bert Nash Homeless Outreach Team for people with severe and persistent mental illness who are unable to stay at LCS

Yes. Overnight guests can stay during the day when the temperature remains below 40 degrees.

The Santa Fe Depot will also remain open 24 hours until the end of this extremely cold weather.

Other daytime options for indoor shelter: City of Lawrence recreation facilities and Lawrence Transit buses. Please note: If people are using a City recreation facility as a warming center and need overnight shelter, we will ensure they have the transportation they need to get there. Contact one of our emergency helplines for assistance: (785) 760-1481 or (785) 813-9483.

Bottom Line: If you are or you know someone who needs help getting to shelter, call our emergency helplines: (785) 760-1481 or (785) 813-9483. We will make sure anyone in need has transportation.

Other Options: Lawrence Transit is available and free-to-use. Their regular bus service runs from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday – Saturday. Additionally, Lawrence Transit is now offering On Demand bus service from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday – Saturday (overnight hours) and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

On-Demand service is door-to-door, meaning users can schedule a ride between any two places in town. Riders will need to book or reserve On Demand rides via phone or smartphone. Reservations can be made by phone during regular business hours, Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., by calling 785-312-7054. Or download the Lawrence Transit On Demand app on Google Play and the Apple App Store to make reservations outside of business hours. Our team can help book rides for anyone who needs it.

In addition to LCS, First United Methodist Church and University Community of Christ will be utilized as overflow shelter, while the Santa Fe Depot will operate as an additional emergency shelter. Bert Nash is also assisting with overnight shelter during this winter weather event:

• We’re providing supplies to First United Methodist Church to open the primary overflow shelter beginning January 12 and continuing through January 20, 2024. They will shelter up to 25 people who LCS is unable to accommodate – based on referrals only. They will only open when LCS reaches capacity. Please do not go to the church directly or drop someone off there. If someone needs shelter, first call an emergency helpline: (785) 760-1481 or (785) 813-9483
• The Santa Fe Depot will open on January 11 as emergency shelter for up to 40 people and will remain open 24 hours until the end of this extremely cold weather. The Santa Fe Depot will accept walk-ins and no referral is required.
• The University Community of Christ will open January 16 as an overflow emergency shelter for up to 25 people. The shelter will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. and will accept walk ins. No referral is required.
• The Homeless Outreach Team is providing hotel rooms for individuals with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness who are unable to shelter at LCS. The hotel program is new, made possible through funding from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.

The Lawrence Community Shelter is able to accommodate pets of overnight guests. Pets must be in the control of the owner at all times and, depending on their behavior, they may need to be muzzled or kept in kennels. All pets must have proof of current vaccinations.

Construction of cabins at The Village wrapped in December 2023 and City staff is currently engaged with LCS leadership to finalize an operations plan. LCS will be the operators of The Village.

The Village is an emergency shelter option focused on providing support services that help people move out of homelessness into housing that is better suited to their specific needs. Because of the nature of this work, it’s imperative that our operations plan and staffing support are in place before we help unhoused community members move to The Village.

When Santa Fe Depot is open as an emergency shelter, sheltering is only taking place in the far east room at the station. Amtrak passengers will have an indoor location to wait for their train that is separate from the emergency shelter.

The bathroom will be shared between Amtrak passengers and individuals utilizing the emergency shelter.

LCS is currently accepting the following items via donation. Donations can be delivered to the front door of LCS from noon to 6 p.m. daily.

Personal Care/Hygiene Items (Must be new and unopened)

• Ethnic Hair Care Products
• Deodorant
• Safety Razors
• Shaving Cream
• Tissue Boxes & Travel Packs
• Hairbrushes/Combs
• Nail Clippers
• Lip Balm
• Sunblock
• Mouthwash (Alcohol-free)
• Adult Diapers (unisex L/XL)

Cleaning/PPE Needs

• Trash Bags
• Gallon/Quart Ziploc Bags Nitrile/Latex Gloves
• Disposable Face Masks Laundry Soap
• Paper Towels
• Swiffer Dusters & Refills Multi-Surface Cleaners Windex Cleaner
• Furniture Cleaners

Weather-Related Needs

• Tarps
• Tents
• Sleeping Bags
• Power Bank
• Hand & Foot Warmers Flashlights/Headlamps Emergency Ponchos

Clothing/Apparel (adult sizes only)

• Winter Hats
• Thick Winter Gloves
• Underwear (new in package)
• Sandals/Shower Shoes (new)
• Thermal Socks (new)
• Sweatpants (new)
• Winter/Work Boots (sizes 7-12)
• Coats (size L and up – plus sizes urgently needed) *Coats may be new or gently used

Over the Counter Meds & First Aid Items

• Aloe Gel
• Ibuprofen
• Acetaminophen
• Naproxen
• Benadryl\Melatonin
• Band-Aids
• Ace Bandages
• 3 oz. Dixie Cups
• Alcohol Pads
• Cold Medicine Packets
• Triple Antibiotic Packets
• Hydrocortisone Packets
• Anti-itch Cream
• Calamine LotionPlastic Jewelry Bags (for meds)
• Cough Drops
• Multi-Vitamins
• First-Aid Kits (travel size)

Kitchen Needs (new in-package)

• Paper Plates
• Paper Bowls
• Plastic Cutlery
• Paper Cups
• Paper Napkins
• Hot Cups with Lids

Food & Beverage

• Boiled Water
• Shelf-Stable Milk
• Powdered Creamer
• Sugar
• Fruit Cups
• Granola/Protein Bars
• Meat Snack Sticks
• Nut-Free Snacks

Bedding/Linens

• Twin Sheets/Pillowcases
• Blankets (clean, no fringe)
• Weighted Blankets (Clean)
• Pillows (new)
• Bath Towels
• Wash Cloths

Other Needs

• AA/AAA Batteries
• Drawstring Bags
• Earbuds (new)
• Pens
• Sharpies
• Notepads
• Dry Erase Markers & Whiteboard Erasers