Expansion of Kent County Emergency Shelter
We need to raise $14,000 to open the emergency shelter in Kent County, Maryland for an additional month this coming winter.
SAVE THE DATE:
First Annual Shelter Expansion Rally
When: Sunday, October 5, 2025 5, 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Where: Presbyterian Church in Chestertown @ 905 Gateway Dr, Chestertown, MD
What: Help us celebrate our volunteers while learning about the plan to be open in December and how you can support that effort. Donate, bring a friend, join the celebration, and help strengthen our community.
Who: Past, Present & Future Volunteers - Families and children welcome!
Donate to support
shelter expansion for
December 2025
Homelessness is difficult any time of year, but in the winter, basic shelter and a warm and safe place to sleep is imperative. Since 2003, the Samaritan Group of Kent County has worked with local agencies, churches, businesses, organizations, and individuals to open the Emergency Winter Shelter from January through March each winter. With additional funds and more volunteers, the Samaritan Group can expand to add at least one additional month.
With the current structure of the Winter Shelter, up to 15 guests can be served each night. In 2025, we served 21 guests for 661 bed nights. If a night in a hotel costs $75, opening the shelter at $14,000/month allows us to serve more community members in need then if we placed them in a hotel room. Your donation will provide a warm bed and roof for more of your neighbors in need.
We also provide our guests with dinners, breakfasts, and bag lunches to take with them each day. Efforts are made so that our guests can have access to other resources to support their needs. Guests are referred to the shelter by the Kent County Department of Social Services and the Chestertown Police Department.
Christ First United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church of Chestertown, and Chestertown Church of the Nazarene host the shelter in their community halls for approximately one month per season.
More Volunteers Needed
In addition to raising the funds for our paid staff and other shelter needs, we need 3-5 volunteers EVERYDAY that the shelter is open. Opening an additional months means we need to recruit more volunteers in order to cover 124 additional volunteer spots. Volunteers provide dinner for all guests, serve as the main host from 5:30-10:00 pm, or be an overnight sleeper.
Visit our website to learn more about each position and to sign-up: www.samaritangroupofkentcounty.org/volunteer
Our volunteers don't just support the logistics and safety of opening the shelter, but provide the warmth of fellowship and community for a guests.
Frequently asked questions
How can I learn more about volunteering?
Why do you need funds if the shelter is run by volunteers?
How will the funds be used if the full amount is not raised?
What are other ways that I can help?
Is my donation secure?
Do I get a receipt?
