The Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter�s winter emergency overflow housing is scheduled to open on November 1 at the First Baptist Church on the corner of Elm and Park Streets. The emergency shelter provides a safe, warm place for people to sleep when the Ticonic Street shelter is full, and is facilitated by the Waterville Homeless Action Group. (You can follow the work of WAHAG on Facebook by searching for �Waterville Homeless Action Group�.) If you are interested in being a part of the planning and implementation team, WAHAG meets every other Tuesday at 8 AM at the First Baptist Church. Call 872-8082 for meeting dates. Due to increased need, this winter we will be expanding the capacity of the shelter by 15 beds. The number of newly homeless persons has been steadily increasing, particularly among families with young children. There are currently 127 people on the Ticonic Street shelter�s waiting list. While some of those people may have the option of temporarily staying with family or friends, or �couch surfing� for a night or two here and there, many of these people have no place to stay. It will soon be so cold that sleeping in a car or in the woods becomes a life-threatening situation. This year we will once again be relying on volunteers to staff the shelter for the 5 PM � 10 PM shift and the 10 PM � 8 AM shift. Intake of shelter guests will be done by a Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter staff person. Wireless internet access will be available for use by overnight volunteers. In addition to staffing the overflow shelter, volunteers are needed to launder bedding, deliver snacks, help with housekeeping, etc. Training is available for all volunteers through the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please call the shelter at 872-8082.

We are currently seeking donations of:

• Twin beds
• Bedding and towels
• Portable cribs and playpens
• Toilet paper and paper towels
• Non-perishable breakfast items

We are also in critical need of financial assistance to help pay for fuel oil, electricity, insurance, intake staff salary, and supplies. You can �sponsor� a safe, warm bed for one month for $115. If you or your group would like to provide a bed for the entire winter, the cost is $690. As always, donations in any amount are much needed and greatly appreciated. You can send your gift to the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter, 28 Ticonic St., Waterville, ME 04901 (please write �Overflow Shelter� in the memo line). Thank you!