ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH

Winter Hospitality Overflow Shelter

Providing Hope & Housing Stability

Impact That Changes Lives

During the 2024–2025 season, WHO at St. Andrew welcomed 97 households—205 neighbors, including 67 children—into safe shelter. Nearly half were living with disabilities, and more than one-third were survivors of domestic violence, underscoring the critical role of this program in providing safety and stability.

Real outcomes for real neighbors:

  • 979 bus tickets helped 92 adults get to work throughout the season

  • 195 guests received information and referrals for housing and support services

  • 46 guests received housing-related coordinated entries

  • 55% maintained or increased their income while staying at WHO

  • 37 individuals moved into permanent housing

  • 28 secured safe arrangements with family or friends

  • 24 transitioned to longer-term shelter programs to continue working toward stability

At one point last season, 28 children were staying at WHO at St. Andrew. These children attend our local schools, sitting in classrooms beside their peers. WHO provides these families with stability, warmth, and a path forward.

$240,000

Our fundraising goal for the 2025-26 season.
Every dollar stays local. Every gift matters.

The True Cost of Hope

This year's operating budget is $255,000 to provide 6,040 shelter nights—that's $42.50 per guest-night, including professional case management through our partnership with Share.

Thanks to the generous volunteers who provide nightly dinners and our partners at the Vancouver and Vancouver North Stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who supply food from the Bishops' Storehouse, our meal and supply costs are already covered. This community support reduces our fundraising need to $240,000.


What Your Gift Makes Possible

  • $42.50 → One night of shelter, meals, and case management for a single guest

  • $127 → One night of stability for a family of 3, so children can stay in school

  • $297 → A week of safety for a couple instead of sleeping outside

  • $892 → A week of shelter for a family of 3—parents can work, children can learn

  • $1,700 → "Sponsor a Night" for all guests (≈40 people), ensuring no child does homework in a car

Your generosity keeps the lights on, meals served, case managers present, and doors open—so that every neighbor has a path forward.

Will you help us meet our $240,000 fundraising goal for the 2025–26 season?

Every gift matters. Every dollar stays local.

Ongoing Support Looks Like:
$20/month = $240/year (nearly a week for a couple)

$50/month = $600/year (shelter for 14 guest-nights)

$100/month = $1,200/year (shelter for 28 guest-nights)

Other Ways to Support WHO at St. Andrew

WHO is a community program of St. Andrew Lutheran Church. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Federal Tax ID: 91-1034819

  • Mail Checks to:
    Winter Hospitality Overflow
    c/o St. Andrew Lutheran Church
    5607 NE Gher Road
    Vancouver, WA 98662

  • Corporate matching: Double your impact

  • In-kind donations: Click here for a current needs list

  • Volunteer: Adopt a week with your group.

  • For General Questions Contact: Jane Seidel, WHO Operations Coordinator, at (360) 607-4339.

  • For Questions about Volunteering, email who@salcavan.org.