Gloucester’s United Emergency Shelter Team is entering its fifth season of housing those in need during the cold weather months. Doors will open at the program’s day shelter next to the Gloucester Moose Lodge at 7 a.m. Dec. 4 and the program will continue through March 26, 2018.

According to Kristie Askew, chairperson of the program’s board of directors, GUEST will provide 24-hour winter shelter for the homeless through the day shelter and its night shelter, which will be housed at various locations throughout the county on a rotating basis.

“The day shelter is a place to wash laundry, take showers, store personal belongings, and work with staff and volunteers to locate resources to become self-sufficient,” Askew said.

She is especially excited about a grant the program received for this season through Bay Aging called the Community Action Program. It will assist families eligible for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program t...