Did you know that Indianapolis has no municipally run shelter? That means that for thousands of people in crisis, Wheeler Mission is “Door Number 1.”
As weather gets cold, conditions outdoors become unpredictable and increasingly hazardous for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Both Indianapolis and Bloomington have a surge in the number of men, women, and children seeking shelter. The solution? Winter Contingency.
Winter Contingency is a collaboration between Wheeler Mission, other local providers (in both Indianapolis and Bloomington), and the City of Indianapolis. While this program has been incorporated into the city’s plans, Wheeler Mission receives no government funding. Instead, we rely on the generosity of our donors to provide resources we need to serve several hundred additional people each night. We create over-flow spaces to ensure that anyone needing shelter and safety can sleep indoors—be it in a bed or a cot on our floor. For five months out of the year, November 1 through March 31, outreach teams from various agencies perform “street sweeps” to find and transport unsheltered individuals to safety.
To put this in perspective…during non-Winter Contingency months (April 1—October 31), Wheeler Mission typically shelters an average of 500-600 guests per night throughout all our facilities. But during Winter Contingency, that number jumps to an average of 800-900 guests per night. Every bed is full, with additional men, women, and children— of all ages—sleeping on cots and mats.
Pray
Pray for wisdom and discernment as our team across Indianapolis and Bloomington accommodates hundreds more men, women, and children. Pray for our volunteers who so graciously step in to ease the load. And pray for our guests, precious 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 Julie Alvis.
Volunteer
Come serve with us and love your neighbors face-to-face. We need additional volunteers to serve meals, provide laundry support, show hospitality, and much more.
Give
Wheeler Mission receives no government funding, so we rely on the community’s generosity as our staff and resources will be stretched—we even hire seasonal support. Will you give generously to ensure we have the resources we need to care for all who come?
Another practical way to love and serve is by donating these much needed items.
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
For Winter Contingency items, we are accepting donations at two locations.
Thank you for your compassion and care. While we grieve the deep hurt and poverty within our community, we rejoice that we exist to offer help, hope, and the healing love of Christ. Thank you for standing with us.