Bloomington Severe Winter Emergency Shelter’s mission is to provide a warm, safe place to sleep to people who might not have any shelter during severe winter weather.
BSWERS history
We began in early 2024 when folks from Bloomington faith communities came together to provide more shelter during severe winter weather. We recognized a need for more beds for people in Bloomington, especially women. The lead-team was originally comprised of people from First United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, and First Christian Church. FUMC and FCC agreed to be host sites and Wheeler mission volunteered to do our laundry. 196 different volunteers from several other faith communities (we are afraid to list them all in case we miss one!!) and the Bloomington area rallied and we opened 43 times in the winter of 2024-2025. Churches held supply drives, volunteers brought snacks, and we were able to provide shelter for around 100 different people during the season.
BSWERS now
We are currently providing shelter for over 30 guests any night that the weather conditions become dangerous (25 degrees or lower or 35 with precipitation). We will do our best to ensure that everyone is able and willing to receive shelter during dangerously cold winter weather. Our lead team now consists of members from University Baptist and Sacred Heart Church along with the churches listed above. We are in communication with local organizations that serve unhoused people to work more effectively with other providers. We are planning to host more in-depth trainings and are fundraising for supplies and a couple of on-site staff positions.
Volunteer Training
Follow our Facebook Page to receive announcements about future in person volunteer trainings. You can also watch a recording of a recent training below (coming soon):
Support BSWERS
You can support BSWERS financially by donating here: Support BSWERS!
You can join our volunteer list by filling out this form: Volunteer Interest Form
You can drop supplies off at First United Methodist (4th St. Entrance) between 9am and 1pm Monday through Thursday.
We Currently Need:
- Blankets
- Gloves
- Warm clothes – sweatpants, hoodies, sweaters, warm coats, etc.
- Socks
- Snacks – anything single serve that doesn’t need to be cooked
- Hot Cocoa
- Powdered Coffee Creamer
Other ideas? Email us at btownsevereshelter@gmail.com
BSWERS in the News
IDS ‘Life saver’: A night at Bloomington’s winter emergency shelter
Indiana Public Media: Bloomington churches to provide emergency shelter
The H-T: Bloomington’s volunteer-run winter shelter seeks people to take shifts
BSWERS social media
Why such a boring site?
We don’t want to spend your money on website hosting! We appreciate you checking out our super boring website and supporting BSWERS. Your donations will go to the direct running of our emergency shelter: to the things and people needed to ensure that our shelter is safe and hospitable. Thank you so much for your support!
Bloomington Severe Winter Emergency Shelter 