WITH MORE SNOW AND SUBZERO COLD ON THE WAY, CODE PURPLE DECLARATIONS EXTENDED ACROSS DELAWARE

NEW CASTLE (Feb. 14, 2015) - With more snow on the way tonight, and temperatures in the single digits, strong winds and dangerous wind chills forecast for Sunday night into Monday, Code Purple declarations have been extended across Delaware.

The volunteer-organized and volunteer-run Code Purple sites in houses of worship and community centers provide a sanctuary during sub-freezing temperatures for people who don't have a home. Additional snow is expected tonight, with the heaviest amounts - 1 to 3 inches - forecast for New Castle County. The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory from 4 a.m. Sunday to 11 a.m. Monday for all three counties, with low temperatures in the single digits and winds from 25 to 40 mph, with gusts over 50 mph. Wind chills could be as low as 20 degrees below zero.

"The temperatures and wind chills expected in Delaware are potentially dangerous to anyone who might be outside for an extended period," Gov. Jack Markell said. "That's why I am grateful to all of the Code Purple locations in our state that can provide a safe place for people to sleep. During the next few days, I urge Delawareans who see people outside who don't appear to have a place to go, to call 9-1-1 so police can help get them to a safe location."

Since Code Purple sites use volunteers to manage operations, the activation and implementation vary by county and site. To be connected to Code Purple resources, call Delaware 2-1-1, or search for "Code Purple" on the Delaware 2-1-1 mobile app or on its website at delaware211.org

NEW CASTLE COUNTY

The lead agency for Code Purple in New Castle County is Friendship House, which operates two Code Purple winter sanctuary programs - one in Wilmington and the other in Newark at the Newark Empowerment Center. The Wilmington program is operated in collaboration with the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army has extended Code Purple in Wilmington to today and Sunday. The schedule:

• 2:30-8:30 p.m.: Friendship House winter sanctuary, 720 N. Orange St., Wilmington. Hot beverages, restrooms and light supper.
• 9 p.m.-6 a.m.: Salvation Army overnight shelter, Fifth and Orange streets, Wilmington.
• 5:30-8 a.m. Sunday: Early-morning sanctuary, 720 N. Orange St., Wilmington.
• 5:30-8 a.m. Monday: Early-morning sanctuary, 226 N Walnut St., Wilmington.

Newark: Code Purple is in effect in Newark through Sunday, operating from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in church space provided by eight different Newark faith communities on a rotating basis. Space in most places is limited to one or at most two rooms and can accommodate no more than 25 guests who are homeless. People in need are encouraged to pre-register from 1-4 p.m. daily at the Newark Empowerment Center, 69 E. Main St., Newark.

KENT COUNTY

Code Purple is in effect through Saturday, Feb 21. Morning leave time is 7 a.m. for each day listed. Call 1-800-733-6816 for any further updates this week. The schedule and locations:

Saturday, Feb. 14
Mt Carmel Church (men only): Opens 5 p.m. (overflow to Dover Interfaith)
Shepherd's Place (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.
Milford Community Center (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 15
Dover Presbyterian Church (men only): Opens 5 p.m. (overflow to Dover Interfaith)
Shepherd's Place (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.
Milford Community Center (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 16
Dover Presbyterian Church (men only): Opens 5 p.m. (overflow to Dover Interfaith)
Calvary Baptist Church (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.
Milford Community Center (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 17
Dover Presbyterian Church (men only): Opens 5 p.m. (overflow to Dover Interfaith)
Calvary Baptist Church (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.
Milford Community Center (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 18
Dover Presbyterian Church (men only): Opens 5 p.m.
Wyoming UMC (men only): Opens 6 p.m.
Wesley UMC (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.
Milford Community Center (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 19
Dover Presbyterian Church (men only): Opens 5 p.m.
Wyoming UMC (men only): Opens 6 p.m.
Wesley UMC (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.
Milford Community Center (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 20
Dover Presbyterian Church (men only): Opens 5 p.m.
Christ Church (men only): Opens 5 p.m.
Shepherd's Place (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.
Milford Community Center (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21
Dover Presbyterian Church (men only): Opens 5 p.m. (overflow Dover Interfaith)
Shepherd's Place (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.
Milford Community Center (women and children): Opens 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES FOR THE SANCTUARIES:
Calvary Baptist Church, 410 Fulton St., Dover
Christ Church 523 S. State St., Dover
Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing, 684 Forest St., Dover (302-736-3600)
Dover Presbyterian Church, 54 S. State St., Dover (entrance is on Reed Street)
Milford Community Center, 105 NE Front St., Milford
Mt Carmel Church, 117 N. West St., Dover
Shepherd's Place, 1362 S. Governor's Ave., Dover
Wesley United Methodist Church, 209 S. State St., Dover (building behind the church on East North Street - purple lights in the window)
Wyoming United Methodist Church, 216 Wyoming Mill Road, Dover

SUSSEX COUNTY

While there is not a defined lead agency that officially activates Code Purple, there are several local champions and Code Purple sites that lead efforts to support people who are homeless in Sussex County. These include:

Eastern Sussex: Faith Methodist United Methodist Church supports the operation of Immanuel Emergency Shelter, 37439 Oyster House Road, Rehoboth Beach, from Monday through Friday throughout the winter.

Western Sussex: Code Purple has been declared beginning today through next Wednesday, Feb. 18. Call Nikki at 302-519-0024. Both locations will have slightly extended hours on Saturdays and Sundays. The sites are:

Stein Highway Church of God (for men), 425 E. Stein Highway, Seaford. Hours are 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. The church operates a day-care center from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Gateway Fellowship (for women and children), 8110 Cannon Road, Bridgeville. Hours are 8:30 p.m. to 7:45 a.m. The women are transported to Gateway after eating dinner at Stein Highway with the men. The women are brought back into Seaford at the ACE Center at 8 a.m. each day.

Many of the Code Purple sites often need more volunteers, and more donations of money, sleeping supplies and food. The list of needed items include: blankets, cots, sleeping bags, towels and wash cloths, hand wipes and sanitizers, feminine products, toothbrushes and toothpaste, disinfectant spray, hats, scarves, gloves, boots, long underwear, coats, hand or feet warmers, bottled water, pre-cooked or frozen meals, instant hot drinks, ready-to-eat food with easy-opening lids, and garbage bags.

"The services provided by volunteers at the Code Purple locations are a godsend to people who are homeless," Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf said. "By providing a warm and safe sanctuary, the Code Purple sites not only provide for people's basic needs, but they also give them hope. Until government and nonprofit partners can find transitional or permanent housing for all of the individuals and families who are homeless in our state, we are grateful for the critical service that the Code Purple locations are providing."

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.