The Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry Men’s Shelter at 2100 Lakeside is the largest shelter in the state of Ohio, serving up to 365 men per night with an additional 30 to 60 beds available at partner overflow sites.

You may have seen stories, especially now that the snow is here and cold weather is setting in,  about the need for more beds for people without homes. The costs of renting an apartment keep rising. The average monthly rent in Cleveland is $1,322, according to the latest report by Rent Cafe.

At Signal Cleveland, we want to do more than spotlight a  problem– which may make people feel overwhelmed– and instead suggest ways you can pitch in and help

As we explored last week how the community can support the Friendly Inn, I wanted to see how the community can support the work that the LMM’s men’s shelter at 2100 Lakeside does.

ENLISTING HELP ALL YEAR LONG

Jessica Starr, director of communications, and Lydia Bailey, volunteer coordinator, shared in an email to Signal Cleveland the several ways volunteers can engage with the shelter. 

• Volunteers–individuals and groups–are needed to serve meals. Breakfast runs from  7 to 8 a.m. Lunch is served from noon to 1 p.m., and dinner runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. LMM asks volunteers to arrive about 20 minutes early to get set up in the kitchen. Food is served cafeteria-style, and volunteers work with kitchen staff.
• Volunteers are needed to provide food as well, either food to be prepared or items that are ready to serve.  If interested in providing, you will be put in touch with the shelter’s kitchen supervisor to discuss the menu and quantity.  The shelter is almost at capacity, which means approximately 350 people eat there for breakfast and dinner and 250 for lunch. 
• Computer lab volunteer, assisting residents with basic computer questions and searches for jobs and housing. Brief training in the lab is required. There are openings in the lab days, which are evenings and weekends.

• Thursdays 10 to 11:30 a.m. art workshop, doing simple art projects with shelter residents and helping to paint a mural for the shelter’s walls.
• Facilitating life skills workshops, based on the volunteer’s area of expertise and meeting the needs of the shelter. Shifts are available days, evenings, and weekends.
• Leading AA or NA recovery workshops
• Legal clinic, looking for volunteer lawyers, weekdays
• Board games with residents, as a means of conversation and relaxation
• Outdoor maintenance projects, painting, gardening, neighborhood clean up when it warms up outside

PLANNING A HOLIDAY FEAST

If you are interested in supporting the shelter during Christmas, there are a few ways to do so.

On Christmas Day (this year it’s on a Monday), the shelter will host a banquet from 12 to 6 p.m. Volunteers should arrive by 10 a.m.  Along with turkey and ham, the shelter needs other items to round out the holiday banquet;

Anyone wishing to contribute a dish should drop it off at the shelter on Sunday, Dec. 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Non-food items are also needed, including:

• Toys
• Wrapping paper
• Napkins
• Tablecloths
• Paper plates
• Plastic utensils 

As our partners at 3News reported,  ‘The storm of poverty is year round.’

The shelter provided a list of most-needed items–find it below.
Please contact Lydia Bailey, Coordinator of Volunteers, Lutheran  Ministry Men’s Shelter, Lbailey@lutheranmetro.org 216-649-7723 with any questions.