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Downtown
Shelter Information

Building entrance with "614 PEOPLE SERVING PEOPLE" in large letters above the doorway.

Information for our guests

People Serving People welcomes you! On this page, you’ll find helpful information about services, hours, meal times, and more.

A smiling man with a beard and two boys wearing glasses gather around a computer, looking happy and engaged together.

Welcome to People Serving People, Downtown

Navigating the shelter can be tricky! You can view our shelter maps to get a better understanding of our building’s layout and see what services are available on each floor.

VIEW BUILDING MAP

Front desk services and supplies


Our front desk is your go-to spot for important forms, necessities, mail, and more! Our Guest Services staff are an excellent resource for all information about your shelter stay.

Help and services available at our front desk

Front Desk Hours

Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Diapers & Wipes

Newborns: 

  • 7 diapers/wipes per child before 4:30 p.m.
  • 4 diapers after 4:30 p.m.

Older Children: 

  • 5 diapers/wipes per child before 4:30 p.m.
  • 3 diapers after 4:30 p.m.

Laundry Sign-Up 

Choose a 90-minute time slot from 8 am to 9 p.m. daily.

Meals and Snacks (available outside of dining room hours )

Breakfast: 

Breakfast Bars are available at the Front Desk from 7 to 7:45 am for guests leaving before breakfast.

Box Lunches: 

We will provide you with a boxed lunch to take with you if you are working or in school. Please sign up at the Front Desk 24 hours in advance of your lunch and provide your work or school schedule. Due to limited supplies, guests who fail to pick up their lunch will be removed from the list.

Dinner:

Hot Meals are available during the school year for children in after-school programs who will otherwise miss dinner. Please sign up at the Front Desk 24 hours in advance of your meal and provide a schedule. Meals must be picked up by 8 p.m. Due to limited supplies, guests who fail to pick up their meal will be removed from the list.

Snacks:

Snacks are only available at the Front Desk for expecting moms, people with diabetes, and those who must eat with medication. Because we have limited supplies, we ask that you provide documentation such as a doctor’s note or medication bottle.

Milk:

Milk is available for you and your family every day at the Front Desk. Limit of one carton per family member per day.

Additional services and supplies 

Mail, messages, and faxes

Housing Link (find a binder full of housing lists)

Forms (shelter verification, work permits, babysitting forms, etc.)

Bags of ice, toilet paper, and pads (limit of 2 ice bags and one (1) toilet paper roll per family per day)

Trash bags

Emergency Linen Exchange is available when a family member is ill or there’s been an accident. Pick up a form and laundry bag at the Front Desk. Deliver to Housekeeping.

Meal times


Join us in our dining room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our Culinary Services team strives to cook nutritious, culturally-relevant meals, and they welcome your suggestions.

Hours (meals will not be served outside of these times)

Breakfast

7:45 to 8:45 a.m.

Lunch

11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Dinner

5 to 6 p.m.

Important shelter information

Health, Beauty, and Clothing Supplies

Guests may order shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and other toiletries by filling out Head-to-Toe Order Forms, which can be found in guest mailboxes on Fridays. Guests* who have turned in their orders to Front Desk staff by 3 p.m. Sunday will be able to pick up their items at the Front Desk on Monday after 1 p.m.

*To qualify for this service, guests must have completed their one-time Meet & Greet. Please ask at the Front Desk to schedule your Meet & Greet.

Curfew and Overnight Check-in

Curfew is at 11 p.m. each night.

Hennepin County requires that everyone in your household remain in shelter every night. Guests do NOT need to go to the lobby for nightly check-in.

Linen Exchange

Guests may exchange bedding up to twice per week by stopping in at Housekeeping (3rd Floor, take the 1st left from the elevators).

Exchange hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays:

  •  2 to 2:30 p.m. 
  •  4 to 4:30 p.m.

Emergency Linen Exchange is available when a family member is ill or there’s been an accident. Pick up a form and a bag at the Front Desk. Deliver to Housekeeping.

Keeping Your Room Clean and Room Inspections

Room inspections occur each Wednesday from Noon to 3 p.m. 

Having a clean room is important for the health and safety of our guests. During the inspection, staff will ensure:

  • Rooms have been swept and mopped
  • No tape is on the walls or ceiling
  • Nothing is hanging from the sprinklers and water pipes
  • No rotten food or other items are present and attracting pests
  • Trash is emptied
  • No excessive belongings storage (2 bins maximum)
  • The bathroom is clean 
  • Maintenance issues

If you do not pass a room inspection, you will have 24 hours to clean the room before another inspection is held. 

You can keep your room clean by emptying trash and recyclables in the trash room on the main floor. There are also mops available outside the Housekeeping department that you can temporarily borrow. Other cleaning supplies may be available upon request.

Technology Resource Center

The TRC (Technology Resource Center) is a computer lab available for guests to use Monday through Friday. For the most up-to-date schedule, please see the signage on the TRC door. The TRC is located on the 2nd floor (Room 224) by the Advocate offices. If you have questions about using the computer lab, an Advocate can assist you.

More programs and services

In addition to the Guest Services, Housekeeping, and Culinary Services information provided on this page, we have a wide variety of advocacy and support services, fun events, early childhood education, and more that you can take advantage of during your stay with us.

Learn more