Two men stand beside a white van labeled "The Branches Outreach Center Of Rio Grande" on a wet pavement with houses and utility poles in the background.

When the temperature drops, The Branches opens its doors.Winter can be dangerous for our neighbors experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and other hardships. When Code Blue is declared in Cape May County, The Branches Outreach extends its hours to provide a safe, warm place to go during the day.But warmth means more than turning up the thermostat.It means a hot meal. A hot shower. A cup of coffee. Clean clothes. Personal care supplies. A place to sit safely out of the cold. A familiar face. And a connection to the resources that can help someone move forward.During the 2024–2025 winter season, Cape May County experienced 74 Code Blue days. On those days, The Branches sees a significant increase in the number of people seeking services—our average daily guest count nearly doubles, from approximately 44 guests in the summer to more than 77 during the winter.That increase means increased need—and increased cost.Code Blue operations require additional:<ul><li>Heat, hot water, and electricity as we extend our hours</li><li>Food, coffee, and kitchen supplies for additional guests</li><li>Showers, personal care items, and clean clothing</li><li>Cleaning and sanitation supplies</li><li>Staffing and security to keep our center safe and welcoming</li><li>Emergency supplies such as gloves, hand warmers, and transportation assistance</li></ul>This winter, help us keep the warmth going.Every Code Blue day represents another day that someone in our community has somewhere to go.Your support of Warmth for Winter helps The Branches remain open, prepared, and ready to meet our neighbors where they are when they need us most.Because no one should have to face a Cape May County winter alone.Give warmth. Give safety. Give hope.

Warmth for Winter 2026-2027

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Warmth for Winter 2026-2027

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