Give them shelter

Safe Space, a seasonal, cold-weather program offering shelter at rotating local churches to local homeless people, will open its doors for the third year on Nov. 29, and volunteers say services will be greatly expanded this year.

“So far, we'll be able to provide shelter and meals for 90 nights, and we have one church that will be the intake site the whole time,” said Cynthia Gailey, who coordinates the shelters on behalf of the Chico Housing Action Team. Last year, the shelters were open for 51 nights, and in 2013 for 15 nights. This year, nine churches have committed to act as venues, allowing the shelters to operate until at least Feb. 28.

Gailey said a volunteer orientation was held Nov. 11, but more volunteers are needed. Interested parties can sign up at chat.ivolunteer.com.