Winter Shelter

In partnership with Allegheny County Department of Human Services and Smithfield United Church of Christ, Pittsburgh Mercy operates a Winter Shelter for men and women who are experiencing homelessness.

Winter Shelter 2021-2022 Season Ends at 7 a.m. on March 16, 2022

Thank you to our generous partners, funders, donors, & supporters!

The Winter Shelter will close for the winter season as scheduled at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. We sincerely thank Smithfield United Church of Christ, Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Allegheny County Police, the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Foundation, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Jack Buncher Foundation, United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Shepherd’s Heart Fellowship and Veterans Home, other community partners, clinical volunteers, and all of our donors who so generously gave of their time, talent, and resources, or made gifts in kind to help those most in need in our community during this critical time. Thank you for your compassion, your demonstrations of mercy, and for partnering with us. We could not do what we do without you.

We appreciate the opportunity to serve alongside you. We look forward to opportunities to expand our collaborations with you and others in the future.

We invite you to stay connected with us throughout the year by following Pittsburgh Mercy on social media.

Smithfield United Church of Christ
620 Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2506 (Downtown)

Phone: 412-232-5739, ext. 4

mithfield United Church of Christ Map

Hours of Operation

November 15, 2021 through March 15, 2022
7 p.m. to 7 a.m. every night, 7 days a week

The Winter Shelter adheres to the public health guidance and safety protocols set forth by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Allegheny County Health Department.

For the safety of persons served, only persons served, Winter Shelter staff, and clinical volunteers will be permitted inside the shelter. Housing, behavioral health, and other referrals and linkages will take place virtually by videoconference.

Meal service will be provided by Community Kitchen Pittsburgh. Meals will be pre-packaged and served grab-and-go style.

Winter Shelter Services

  • A warm, dry place to sleep
  • A meal served nightly
  • Basic health care
  • Benefits and service coordination
  • Care management services
  • Housing assistance
  • Shower facilities
  • Laundry facilities
  • Winter clothing, hygiene kits, and other necessities
  • Information and referrals to essential human services.

Winter Shelter Referrals

To refer a person to the Winter Shelter, please send them directly to the Winter Shelter during our hours of operation, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Thank You to Our Funders

Funding for the Winter Shelter is made possible by:

  • Allegheny County Department of Human Services
  • Allegheny Foundation
  • City of Pittsburgh Emergency Solutions Grant
  • The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Jack Buncher Foundation
  • United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania
  • The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

Additional support comes from:

  • Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net
  • Smithfield United Church of Christ
  • Generous donors.

How You Can Help

We can’t do what we do without talented, compassionate colleagues and wonderful volunteers, supporters, and donors like you!

Seasonal Help is Needed

If you have a gift and a passion for helping vulnerable people and are in need of seasonal employment or know someone who does, we invite you to apply for one of our available Winter Shelter jobs. Applicants should have a degree in human services or a related field, such as social services, or a high school diploma/GED equivalent and fours years of job-related experience working with one or more of the following groups:

  • Persons who are experiencing homelessness
  • Persons who have a mental health disorder
  • Persons who have a substance use disorder.

Act 33/34/73 clearances and a pre-employment drug screening are required.

Apply now. For more information, please visit our Careers page.

Meals, Meal Preparers & Servers

  • Shelter meals are coordinated by Community Kitchen Pittsburgh.

Monetary Donations

  • We gratefully accept monetary donations for the Winter Shelter year-round. To make a monetary donation in support of the Winter Shelter, please click the Give button at the top of the page.
  • To make a donation by phone, please contact Michelle Mooney at 412-697-0730.
  • To make a donation by mail, please enclose a check made payable to Pittsburgh Mercy and mail to:

Pittsburgh Mercy
1200 Reedsdale Street, Third Floor, Attention: Development Office
Pittsburgh, PA 15233-2109

Please be sure to note “Winter Shelter” on the memo line.

In-Kind Donations

The Winter Shelter gratefully accepts in-kind donations year-round by appointment. Due to COVID, please do not bring items to the Winter Shelter. The items most needed by our individuals include:

New Items

  • Hats
  • Scarves
  • Gloves
  • Boots (men’s and women’s, all sizes)
  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Bras
  • T-shirts
  • Sweatshirts (crew neck and hooded, all sizes)
  • Sweatpants (all sizes)
  • Personal hygiene kits (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deoderant, soap, washcloth, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, lip balm, etc.).

Gently Used Items

  • Winter coats (men’s and women’s, especially sizes 1X-3X)
  • Sleeping bags
  • Tents.

To donate gifts in-kind, please contact us at 412-232-5739, ext. 4 and schedule an appointment.

Learn More

Learn more about how you can help. For more information about the Winter Shelter, please contact us or call 412-232-5739, ext. 4.

Page Updated: March 1, 2022

Back to Top