Night Shelter Ministry at Bashor Men’s Homeless Shelter:

The Basilica’s night shelter support goes back at least 30 years as an initiative under the parish conference of St. Vincent De Paul. During the past 20 years, the night shelter was combined at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and Central Presbyterian Night Shelter, now officially known as the Bashor Homeless Men’s Shelter.

In recent years, the Basilica’s SVDP funding was phased out and replaced through a monthly outreach ministry collection. During the five winter months the shelter is open (Nov-Mar), the Basilica typically provides volunteer workers and meals one day each month. (During 2023-2024 a sack lunch, breakfast, and overnight volunteers for six nights, and the evening meal for four nights while another group will provide the other two evening meals.) Many volunteers are needed ahead of time to prepare sack breakfasts and lunches. Other volunteers are needed to serve dinner for the 65 guests, and as needed to set out sleeping cots, to monitor the laundry (the shelter is equipped with washing machines and dryers) and showers, and take shifts awake, acting as hosts as guests sleep.

Many shelter guests look forward to “Basilica night” dinners. Basilica coordinators arrange to have hot dinners catered by parish members who own local fast-food restaurants. Guests are seated, served dinner, and waited on by volunteers. Spare clothing is often available on request, as are toiletries, other items, aspirin, etc.

Although the shelter does not accept women guests, women volunteers are welcome, but not for overnight hosting. Entire families can volunteer, especially to help prepare sack meals. It takes many hands for the food service to work smoothly and volunteers to help guests feel safe and comfortable. The Basilica is blest to have a core group of volunteers who show up year after year to live out the Gospel through this ministry… but many more are needed as are the financial resources to continue serving. Anyone wanting to know more or eager to volunteer can contact Bob Balke at rrbalke@gmail.com or call / text 404 788 3151.

Additional information can be found at https://cpcatlanta.org/central-night-shelter/