UPDATE: Severe-weather shelters in Kitsap County are sufficiently staffed for Dec. 14.

Approximately 25 visitors have stayed at the Bremerton shelter when it’s been open, organizers report; 15 have stayed at the shelters in Kingston and Silverdale.

Bremerton needs eight volunteers per night in order to open; the others need six each.

Volunteers are also needed so the Poulsbo shelter at Gateway Church can open. Because there are not enough volunteers for that shelter, it hasn’t been able to open yet. Twenty to 30 volunteers are needed to rotate in and out of the shifts at Poulsbo.

Calls had been sent out for volunteers to staff the severe weather shelters overnight Dec. 14 in Bremerton and Kingston. If volunteers hadn’t come forward, neither shelter would have been able to open for those in need.

The severe weather shelters offer refuge to people who need it when temperatures are below freezing, when it’s snowing or when the area is experiencing heavy rain.

Severe-weather shelters are located at:

• Silverdale United Methodist Church, 9982 Silverdale Way, Silverdale.
• Salvation Army, 832 Sixth St., Bremerton.
• Village Green Community Center, 26159 Dulay Road NE, Kingston.

To volunteer, contact Michele at mmoen@co.kitsap.wa.us or 360-307-5881. For information about shelter openings, call 2-1-1.