South Tidewater News

Do you and your church or organization have a heart for helping people? The Chesapeake Area Shelter Team (CAST) is in need of churches to help provide emergency overnight shelter for those who are homeless during the upcoming winter 2023-24 season. 

Every year from November to April, Chesapeake churches, synagogues, mosques, and organizations open their doors to homeless families for nights of warmth, food, and support through the CAST program. Churches are ideal CAST hosts because they usually have the facilities needed, however any organization can host. Each week during the 2023-24 season, CAST hosts will provide a safe and warm facility that serves roughly 40 to 50 people breakfast, lunch, and dinner while providing shelter for seven days. 

Partnering organizations help by providing volunteers and other expenses while ensuring the hosting organization has everything it needs to have a successful week. The cost to provide these services is about $1,500. A scholarship is available for churches that cannot cover the full cost. This CAST program is also a great opportunity whether or not you’re affiliated with a faith-based community to volunteer your time and talents. The CAST hosts will need about 25 volunteers to assist in serving and cooking meals, monitoring the bus stop, and staying the night. CAST provides busing service and is always in need of drivers who have a Commercial Driver's License with a P endorsement. The Chesapeake community truly comes together to help those who need it most.

If you’re interested in learning more or if you have a facility that may be able to host a week, please reach out to Sam Howard at Sam.CAST@AbbaList.org. If you or someone you know is struggling to find access to housing, food, or other critical life resources, please contact Chesapeake Thrives by visiting CityOfChesapeake.net/Thrives or by calling 757-382-2489. 

For more information, watch CAST's video on YouTube or visit Chesapeake's Housing page.

Original source can be found here.