By Janet Eagles
Glen Mar has long been a dedicated partner to the Grassroots Cold Weather Shelter (CWS) providing critical support for individuals experiencing homelessness during the coldest months of the year. This year, Glen Mar’s week is breakfast on Monday, February 23 through dinner on Sunday, March 1 and we will once again be hosting it at Grassroots’ facility on Freetown Road in Columbia. Through many transitions, from hosting the CWS in-house at our church for many years, to hosting it at hotels during the pandemic, and now hosting it at Grassroots’ facility, Glen Mar’s commitment to its neighbors in need remains strong, reinforcing the church’s mission to serve the world.
To Volunteer or Donate:
When donating, select Cold Weather Shelter from the Fund pulldown. Also, please see additional information below if you intend to volunteer or donate:
How Glen Mar Is Helping
We have committed to providing the following to Grassroots at its request, from February 23 through March 1, 2026:
- Continental breakfast for 70-75 guests, plus soft drinks and individual hygiene items
- Hot dinners for 70-75 guests
- Three servers for dinner at the Grassroots Shelter on Freetown Rd in Columbia
- Three volunteers to assist with Bingo night at the Grassroots Shelter on Freetown Rd in Columbia
- The 70-75 people we are serving include guests in the emergency shelter as well as the CWS guests. This way, everyone at the shelter can eat the same thing and not be excluded from certain dinner times.
We will be asking the following from Glen Martians:
- Purchase bulk items for the continental breakfasts, soft drinks, and hygiene items, and bring them to the Glen Mar kitchen on the Sunday prior to our CWS week (February 22)
- Make cash donations to help us purchase ingredients for the dinners, and to buy any additional bulk items that need to be replenished during the CWS week
- Help do meal prep at the Glen Mar kitchen on specific days during our CWS week, under the supervision of George Dohner
- Help deliver the meals, serve the meals, or assist with Bingo Night at the Grassroots Shelter
Please see specific requirements and restrictions below:
Serve Dinner at the Grassroots Shelter in Columbia
- Volunteers must be 15 years or older.
- Grassroots requires all volunteers working at the Shelter to have a background check. Please use the following button to access the application for a Grassroots background check:
- Please report to Grassroots kitchen at 4:45pm. Dinner will be served from 5-6:30pm.
- If you have long hair, please pull it back or place it under a cap.
- Please wash your hands before serving and wear gloves, they will be provided.
Bulk Items
All bulk items must be delivered to the Glen Mar Kitchen (upstairs) on Sunday, February 22 from 9:00 am to 12:15 pm. All items should be marked with “CWS” to identify them for use by the Cold Weather Shelter.
Prepare Dinners in Glen Mar Kitchen
Groups will make the dinners under supervision of George Dohner. Ages >16 only. Times are specified in the Sign-up Genius.
Delivery of Meals to Grassroots Shelter
Meals should be delivered to Grassroots between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. The dinners will be in large chafing dishes. You will be delivering one dinner each night. The dinners will be in the refrigerator marked “CWS” in the Glen Mar kitchen. Carts are available in the kitchen to help you move the dinners to your vehicle. Carts will also be available in the Shelter’s kitchen to assist you in moving the meals from your cars.
Cash donation to purchase ingredients to make dinners
Cash, check and on-line donations in any amount are accepted and appreciated. All checks and cash should be in an envelope marked for “CWS” and your name. Checks should be made out to Glen Mar Church. You may drop your envelope in the check slot outside the main door to the Spirit Center anytime the church is open. On-line donations can be made by clicking the button below. Please specify “Cold Weather Shelter” for your type of fund.
