What a Small Contribution Buys

My promotion through 31 December

Dec 21, 2024

When my son told me he was volunteering at a homeless shelter, I imagined a dreary grey place, looking rundown and smelling of cabbage, bleach and, perhaps, worse.

I wondered how he could have any enthusiasm for going there on a weekly basis.

Then, just out of curiosity, I went to their website – and was blown away.

You may be surprised to learn that this is a photo of the dining area of the shelter (called Shelter from the Storm) where he volunteers. I certainly was. And see below for more.

I have always given all income from this Substack to this shelter. Until the end of December, I am lowering (by half) the cost of a paid subscription in the hopes of getting more people to contribute.

This cost is now just slightly over $20 (or £17.00). Less than many a Christmas present.

(You will not lose any ‘extras’ if you don’t pay. You get absolutely everything whatever you decide to do. But it would be great if you felt moved to do so.)

OF COURSE, MY VERY HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS CHOSEN TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION.

Want to join them? Take out a paid subscription to this Substack here:

https://arichardson.substack.com/f8b65b9b

Last week, I told you how much it meant to me when anyone signed up for a paid subscription.

This week, I want to tell you about the Shelter.

Shelter From the Storm (stfs)

I don’t need to tell you that there is nothing dreary here. You can see it for yourself. It’s cheerful and warm and everything one could hope for if one found oneself on the streets. People (‘guests’) are treated with kindness and dignity.

If I had been homeless and brought in here to sleep, I would wonder what I had done to deserve this.

It would bring me hope.

Founded in 2007, what it provides is a completely free emergency night shelter, providing bed, dinner and breakfast for 36 people.

The organisation says:

For less than £25 per guest per day, we provide a warm bed, breakfast, a hot evening meal and a range of services including laundry, showers, counselling, English lessons, clothing and help finding employment, permanent accommodation and referral to legal advice.

The charity planned and built a purpose-built building, designed expressly for this group. It has three dorms (two male, one female) where each person has their own bed and lockable wardrobe; a commercial kitchen, showers and loos, meeting space, a counselling room, a clothing store, IT facilities, lounge area and dining area.