January Community Update

Dear Friends of Room In The Inn,

Homelessness doesn’t take a break when dangerous winter weather looms. For those experiencing unsheltered homelessness, safe, warm shelter can be the difference between life and death.

The shelter has been full or nearly for much of the last two months. By the numbers since November 1, we have provided 2974 meals, 990 room nights, and the average age was 51. A special thank you to Kitty Hawk UMC, All Saints, Colington UMC, Manteo First Assembly, and Grace Lutheran for blessing those in need with food and supplies in January.

Thank you so much for the donations you’ve been sending in and dropping off! Grace Lutheran and Wanchese Assembly of God deserves a special shout out for making sure the shelter received warm meals during the storm. Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary responses and the Outer Banks Health Hospital stepped up with a large donation of food. Monday, as nearly all of the county was closed, OBX Room In The Inn was at work to serve our neighbors. We are blessed by a caring team who met this moment of urgency with dedication and compassion. Thanks to you and in large part to this community whose generous support makes it possible for us to show up for our most vulnerable neighbors during this time of great need.

When the temperature drops below 40 degrees, we offer the guests to stay in during the day. Most of the guests have jobs working outside and continue working, but because the winter weather continues to be relentless, with low temperatures numerous guests are staying in the shelter 24/7. While the shelter is full, we try to connect with as many people as possible to provide them with winter supplies, such as coats, sleeping bags, food and hand warmers. Thank you is deserved by the Nags Head Church for offering an emergency shelter and warming center over last weekend’s storms. Our primary focus remains to become a year around shelter, and together we can make this a reality.

Can you help? If you or your church might be interested in supporting the efforts, please check us out on our website www.obxroomintheinn.org, respond to this email or call 252-255-1133 for more information and join us!

We apologize for not having the correct person on this email list, so please share this information with your organization! Thank you to everyone for supporting those in need and for partnering with OBX Room In The Inn! Happy Valentines Day!

Live Generously, Give Generously,

Shari