Temple Sinai’s Social Action Committee is seeking volunteers to help staff the Overflow Homeless Shelter this winter in a partnership between the City of Reno and local religious groups.  This is an incredible opportunity to support our greater community.

If you’re interested in helping, please visit the following link ASAP for more information and to sign up for shifts. We will be staffing the shelter from 8:30 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. on our chosen dates. Please follow the link for details and FAQs.

Volunteer and Member Jane Grossman Reflects on her Experience at the Homeless Shelter

It’s so easy to put the homelessness issue to the back of our minds. I know I’m guilty of that.

These folks, sleeping on the hard asphalt parking lot, were gracious and grateful to have a warm place out of the cold. To me, MOST of them looked like your co-worker, the guy you see behind the counter at a restaurant, a school teacher, they didn’t look like “some other” to avoid. So many were old – I imagined my grandparents in their shoes and it broke my heart further.

After sitting in that tent for 4-5 hours, in such an intimate way where people are vulnerable and sleeping, I can’t ignore this issue anymore. I’ve served lunch many times at Record Street, this was an entirely different experience. I’m overwhelmed with grief seeing this condition up close and personal and it makes me want to help more.

QUESTIONS: Contact Shoshana Zeldner at shoshana.ariel@gmail.com