Winter poses a significant threat to those without a stable home. The National Coalition for the Homeless notes that extreme cold weather can lead to life-threatening conditions like hypothermia and frostbite, especially when temperatures drop below freezing. For those living on the streets, the cold is not just an inconvenience; it’s a matter of survival. Shelters often become overwhelmed, and many are left to brave the elements.
Food Insecurity in the Cold
The cold months also bring a unique set of challenges for food-insecure households. As reported by Axios, the combination of severe winter conditions and rising food prices creates a dire situation for vulnerable populations. Families must choose between keeping the heat on or buying groceries, a decision that can lead to dangerous health outcomes, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Resources in Delaware
- DE 211: Delaware 2-1-1 stands as a vital lifeline for those grappling with homelessness and food insecurity. This free, confidential referral and information helpline connects individuals and families to essential health and human services across Delaware and Salem County, NJ.
- Food Bank of Delaware: Through a network of community partners, the Food Bank of Delaware distributes food to over 114,000 food-insecure individuals, providing a critical lifeline during the winter months.
- Friendship House of Delaware: Offers a range of services to support those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. From providing meals and emergency housing to facilitating access to medical care and community engagement, Friendship House embodies the spirit of compassion and empathy, ensuring that no one has to face the harsh winter alone.
Resources in Pennsylvania
- PA 211: This service offers a comprehensive list of extreme weather shelters across Pennsylvania, including locations like Second Avenue Commons in Pittsburgh, which provides winter shelter and overflow options during severe weather conditions.
- Delaware County: The county’s Homeless Services Coalition and Continuum of Care work to ensure barrier-free access to services for the homeless, including emergency shelters and rapid rehousing programs.
- Philadelphia: Organizations like Project HOME and Philly House offer emergency shelters specifically for men and families, respectively, with extended capacity during Code Blue conditions.
Resources in Maryland
- Maryland Department of Human Services: While the Bureau of Homeless Services has moved to the Department of Housing and Community Development, resources like the Maryland Community Services Locator and Maryland 2-1-1 remain available for those in need of assistance with housing, utilities, and food.
- Deep Roots, Clairvaux Farm: Located in Earleville, MD, this facility provides transitional housing for families with children. It offers up to 12 apartments and support services.
The Need for Comprehensive Support
The challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity during winter are multifaceted. Beyond immediate shelter and food, there’s a need for comprehensive social support systems that address the underlying issues driving these crises. Poverty, unemployment, housing affordability, healthcare access, and racial inequities all contribute to the persistent problem of food insecurity and homelessness.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, remember that help is just a call or message away. Together, we can make a difference, one warm meal and one safe night at a time.
What are they calling it? An arctic vortex? I don’t know what it is, I’m not a meteorologist, but it’s cold, it’s really cold. And it’s not just here in Delaware. Birmingham, Alabama got snow yesterday! The wind chill is -65 degrees in parts of the 
The emergency sanctuary locations are not homeless shelters. So when they open their doors, they are equipped with volunteers offer. The consistently awesome thing about Delawareans is that they are givers. I am humbled each and every day when I drop off 3B bags and see all of the kind people helping others. I am so grateful.
There is so much to be grateful for in life. I would love to know that people will be waking up feeling blessed, without complaints and full of a passion to live life to the fullest.
As we near Thanksgiving I’m suggesting you create a Thanksgiving Meal Kit if you have the means to do so. You can donate these kits to a local school or food pantry or you can give them to a family you know needs the help. Get a basket at a dollar store and purchase a turkey or see if you can obtain a gift certificate from a local meatery or deli. Include cranberry sauce, green beans, potatoes and perhaps a pumpkin pie in your basket.
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
All of this being said, the point of this post is that no matter what holiday you may be celebrating, all of us can benefit from bringing life, love and light into each other’s lives. For Brae’s Brown Bags that means continuing to deliver bags of healthy food to those in need. To make sure we are able to donate handwarmers, socks, coats, gloves, etc. If you drive by bus stops in the morning, knowing how bitter cold it is outside, and you see a child waiting without a hat or without a coat, you have the ability to provide that child with something to keep them warm. If you’re not comfortable stopping and handing the child a coat, then bring gently used coats to your local schools. I promise you they will be used.
Plan time for your family to volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Write a letter to your mail person, the people who pick up your garbage or recycle. Bring a basket of fruit to your community firehouse or police troop. Send a care package overseas to troops who are away from home during the holidays. Visit a nursing home with your kids and bring books to read or pictures that they have colored.
This past weekend, Braeden, my Mom, Finn and Amelia (my two younger kids) took a trip out to 
We had a table at the 1st Annual Christina School District Family Resource Fair which was a big success. Many people came out to see what the community has to offer and we heard that the New Castle County library exhibit handed out over 100 new library cards to people! That is VERY COOL! I couldn’t be there for the event so my family helped out. My brother and sister, Finn and Amelia, they set up the table and they were happy to be able to support 3B. Plus they got to eat pretzels and have their face painted!
