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As the weather starts to get colder we are thankful for the warmth of of homes and the good forture we have.  For some, the basics of food, clothing and housing are not guaranteed. Knowing this, Temple Shaari Emeth has always provided assistance to those in need through our work with Open Door and the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program.
 
Fourteen years ago, our congregation opened its doors to shelter the homeless during the coldest months of December through March through the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program. Once again we will join with St. Peters, St. Roberts, Hope Lutheran, Faith Evangelical, St. Veronica and St. Josephs to ensure that there is a safe place to sleep every night of the week during the winter. The miraculous part of this program is that it is all volunteer driven and you too can be part of this life saving work.
 
Let me explain how the process works:
Every Saturday night from December through March, Shaari Emeth houses the homeless and volunteers provide a hot dinner, a cold breakfast and at least one volunteer each week to host the guests and provide hospitality for them.
 
YOU CAN VOLUNTEER TO STAY OVERNIGHT
 
For Overnight Volunteers:     
1) Participants are screened, tested for drugs and alcohol, and given a pass that allows them to receive a ride at 6:00 pm. that leaves from St. Peter’s in Freehold and arrives at the Temple. Any person who is ill, drunk or behaving oddly will not be allowed to receive shelter. Transportation is provided by a taxi service. No more than twelve guests are allowed on any given night.

2) Someone from the Shelter Committee will be at the Temple to welcome you and our guests. There will also be a Security Guard who will sleep in the same room with the men and remain with you overnight. Shaari Emeth Volunteers sleep in the main office and air mattresses are provided. We are looking to have two volunteers from the Temple overnight. Both men and women are welcome to volunteer. Volunteers for overnight must be 13 and over with an adult.
 
3) When the guests arrive there will be other Temple volunteers who provide and serve dinner and you will have an opportunity to eat with the men and get to know them.  You may feel uncomfortable about doing this but it is really the most meaningful part of the night and it means so much to our guests to be treated with kindness.
 
4) Cots and linens are provided and the men set up their own beds. Keep in mind that the same men come once a week to the Temple and they know what to do. After dinner, the men relax, watch TV, use cell phones and typically are asleep before 10:00 p.m.
 
5) The men wake up at 6:30 and the volunteers set up the breakfast cart. All supplies for breakfast are provided by other volunteers. There is a Keurig available for guests to make coffee. The men will fold away their cots and clean up their bedding. You will make sure that breakfast is cleaned up and that the Temple kitchen is in order.
 
6) At 7:30 a.m.  taxi service comes to pick the men up and return them to downtown Freehold. And you can go sleep knowing that you have made a real difference in the life of someone in need.
 
YOU CAN VOLUNTEER TO BRING AND SERVE DINNER OR PROVIDE BREAKFAST
 
Dinner and Breakfast Volunteers:
 
1) If you are donating breakfast a suggested list of items will be sent to you the week you are volunteering. It includes typical Continental Breakfast items. We ask that you drop off the breakfast food sometime before Saturday evening.
 
2) If you are donating dinner, we ask that you prepare or purchase a meal for 15 people. You’ll need to arrive at the Temple by 6:15 on the evening you volunteer. You will set up and serve dinner and you will be finished at approximately 7:30 p.m. after cleaning up. Many people bring their children to help serve. It is a great way to teach them to help those in need.

For teens who serve dinner or stay overnight with a parent, we offer community service letters.
 
Click here to sign up for a volunteer slot

 
Michael Holzer organizes the Shelter for our congregation and if you have any questions you may reach out to him at mikeholzer322@gmail.com.
 
Please consider volunteering. We are especially in need of volunteers who can stay over night. If you have any concerns or questions please reach out to me by email  or call 732-462-7744.
 
If you would like to make a donation to support the program, you may do that by clicking here.                                  

More about the Shelter Program

Temple Shaari Emeth participates in the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program's winter shelter program.  You can read about the program in a previous article published in the Asbury Park Press .  

You can also view this  YouTube VIDEO  from when the youth group prepared dinner for the men.