Our Work
Winter at Wheeler Mission
Our Work
Winter at Wheeler Mission
Wheeler Mission is door number 1 for hundreds of people in crisis each winter.
As the weather gets colder, outdoor conditions become unpredictable and increasingly hazardous for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Both Indianapolis and Bloomington see a surge in the number of men, women, and children seeking shelter.
What is Winter Contingency?
Each winter, communities across Indiana develop contingency plans to provide relief to people experiencing homelessness when harsh, inclement weather occurs. These plans are designed to guide efforts that prevent people from experiencing severe harm or even death due to homelessness. Wheeler Mission is the largest provider of emergency shelter in both Indianapolis and Bloomington, sheltering several hundred additional people at our sites each night.
As part of this program, overflow spaces are opened to allow those in need of shelter and safety to sleep indoors. From November through March, teams from various agencies in Indianapolis provide outreach services to those living on the streets, transporting unsheltered individuals to safe shelter.
What does this mean for Wheeler?
During Winter Contingency, Wheeler Mission serves an average of 800–1,000+ guests per night (up from 500–700 guests on a typical night), and additional overflow space is provided. The Shelter for Men has 258 emergency shelter service beds and will provide overflow for up to 100 additional men. The Center for Women & Children has 68 emergency shelter service beds and will also provide overflow for 125 additional women. For the safety and well-being of our guests, additional overflow spaces for families will not be available at the Center for Women & Children beginning in 2024.
Will you stand with us during Winter Contingency?
There are several ways you can help.
Pray
Pray for our team as they accommodate hundreds more men, women, and children. Pray for our volunteers who so graciously step in to ease the load. And pray for our guests—people who come to us amidst life-threatening dangers. Pray that they find peace, nourishment, rest, and life-transforming help. If you would like to sign up to be a Wheeler Mission Prayer Partner, email Lisa Hines.
Volunteer
Come serve with us and love your neighbors face-to-face. Additional volunteers are needed during Winter Contingency to serve meals, help with laundry, show hospitality, and much more.
Give
Wheeler Mission relies on the generosity of our community. As our staff and resources are stretched during the winter months, we even hire seasonal support. Will you give generously to ensure we have resources to care for all who come to us for help?
Donate
Please consider loving and serving neighbors in need by donating much-needed items.
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Clothing and linens
Men’s and women’s new underwear
Men’s and women’s sweatpants and sweatshirts
Men’s and women’s PJs
Under shirts (white & black), sizes large to 5X
Shower shoes
Towels and washcloths
Twin size sheets and blankets
New standard size pillows
Miscellaneous
Razors
Deodorants
Foot powder
Cold, flu, and cough medication (all OTC and non-expired)
Cough drops
Nail clippers
IndyGo daily passes
Clothing and linens
Men’s and women’s new underwear
Men’s and women’s sweatpants and sweatshirts
Men’s and women’s PJs
Under shirts (white & black), sizes large to 5X
Shower shoes
Towels and washcloths
Twin size sheets and blankets
New standard size pillows
Miscellaneous
Razors
Deodorants
Foot powder
Cold, flu, and cough medication (all OTC and non-expired)
Cough drops
Nail clippers
IndyGo daily passes
We accept Winter Contingency donations at two locations:
For Indianapolis: Men’s Residential Center (245 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, IN 46204)
For Bloomington: Center for Men (215 S. Westplex Ave., Bloomington, IN 47404)
Thank you for your compassion and care! While we grieve the realities of homelessness in our community, we rejoice in your support to offer help, hope, and the healing love of Christ to neighbors in need. Thank you for standing with us.
Your support changes lives!
Your generous gift empowers life-saving care for men, women, and children in our community, and opens the door for personal and spiritual transformation. Please help today!
$50/mo
makes the biggest impact!
