ST. LOUIS – Non-profit organization Saint Louis AmeriCorps and a coalition they’re a part of, Winter Outreach, are seeking volunteers to help the unhoused. 


What You Need To Know

  • When night temperatures drop to 25 degrees and lower, experienced staff members with AmeriCorps provide overnight emergency shelter on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
  • AmeriCorps has four shifts, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. 
  • Winter Outreach meets at the AmeriCorps building on any night of the week when the temperature is 25 degrees or below

  • The Volunteers go to different areas of the city to pass out the supplies and offer transportation to people seeking indoor shelter for the night

  • Volunteers meet at 6:30 p.m. and usually are done around 9 p.m.

When night temperatures drop to 25 degrees and lower, experienced staff members with AmeriCorps provide overnight emergency shelter on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Inside the shelter, they serve hot meals for breakfast and dinner. Guests are able to shower and get clean clothes. Volunteers support with these tasks as well as assisting with checking in and out the guests. There are four shifts, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. AmeriCorps says the overnight and early morning shifts are the hardest to fill. Last weekend they were able to provide dozens of guests and a few dogs shelter during the winter storm. 

“The need for volunteers is huge right now,” said Jane Kersch, Outreach Manager with AmeriCorps. “In the homeless services community, many of the staff of these organizations work full jobs in addition to emergency overnight volunteer roles at other organizations. We have a great group of consistent volunteers throughout the network, but welcome new volunteers as to not burn out our pool. We are so blessed with people who consistently go above and beyond for the community!” 

For more information on AmeriCorps Emergency Winter Shelter or to sign up to help, click here.

Winter Outreach, a separate network of organizations that AmeriCorps is a part of, meets at the AmeriCorps building on any night of the week when the temperature is 25 degrees or below. The volunteers receive a safety briefing and are paired with experienced volunteers. Volunteers load supplies to combat winter into their vehicles including warm clothing items, sleeping bags, tents, hand warmers, and more. The Volunteers go to different areas of the city to pass out the supplies and offer transportation to people seeking indoor shelter for the night. Volunteers meet at 6:30 p.m. and usually are done around 9 p.m.

Winter Outreach operates a Warming Bus downtown with Urban City Services which is managed by more trained volunteers and staff.

For more information on Winter Outreach St. Louis or to sign up to help, click here.

“The need is especially great this weekend with the weather and snow, many volunteers end up having to cancel because of the road conditions.”