Wausau Police Department. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau Police Department will hold an informational session Tuesday afternoon for groups interested in contributing to the department’s temporary emergency night shelter.
Police Chief Matthew Barnes says he’s looking for help in all areas. “We’re looking for those groups that have resources, time, or talent to serve. Our immediate need is for volunteers, groups, or individuals who can come in between 6:00 and 9:00 PM and help us get everyone situated.
“There are a lot of moving parts,” Barnes added. “Getting everybody onboarded into the shelter with their property safely taken care of requires staff.”
Volunteers will also provide a meal for the residents, which Barnes says the department just can’t do every night.
Chief Barnes also welcomes ideas and feedback on operations. “I’m asking them to bring ideas and possibly commitments on behalf of their organization to help us fill that volunteer need,” said Barnes.
The session begins at 2:00 PM in the community room of the Police Department and is scheduled to run for two hours.
The shelter will temporarily replace the Catholic Charities shelter, which returns to seasonal operations on May 1st. Meaning it will close until next winter. The City of Wausau is searching for a group to step in and operate a year-round shelter through a request for proposals, which was recently issued. Barnes says he’s confident they can find someone to step in and take over the year-round shelter.
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