The Redmond United Methodist Church at 16540 N.E. 80th St. in downtown will be the home of a winter shelter for the homeless for the month of November this year and the month of February in 2013.

The shelter, which will be at the Bellevue First Congregational Church in December this year and January 2013, will be open each night from 8:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

The shelter will continue to operate until March 15, 2013 and is a collaborative effort among King County, The Sophia Way, various community partners and the cities of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and Issaquah, all of which are committed to ensuring the health and safety of the community on the Eastside.

Providing shelter is the first and most critical step in ending homelessness. Being open every night during the winter provides a lifeline for people who would otherwise be sleeping outdoors and helps build  trust, which helps to connect people to other needed services and long-term housing options.

For additional information or to find out how you can help, visit www.sophiaway.org/shelter.html#winter or contact Barbara Woontner at (425) 463 6285 ext. 106 or wintershelter@SophiaWay.org.

Shelter organizers are still in need of volunteers, supplies, helping hands with meals and financial donations.