The Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene has received a $5,000 donation to help with its effort to get the homeless out of the cold this winter season.

Wareham Week reported last month that area churches were having trouble paying for building enhancements to meet requirements for a “temporary overnight shelter,” which is what the churches are deemed when they house homeless residents during the Nights of Hospitality.

During the Nights of Hospitality, the Church of the Good Shepherd, Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene, Emmanuel Assembly of God, and St. Patrick’s Church alternate the weeks in which they give the homeless a place to sleep, feed them dinner, and serve them breakfast in the morning.

David Shaw of the Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene learned this year that the building needs hardwired carbon monoxide detectors and a new fire panel, among other things — to the tune of $6,800 — in order to host the homeless this year.

Fortunately, an anonymous donor took care of $5,000 of that cost. A grant the church received from the Wareham Elks Lodge will cover the rest.

“If others respond as generously, perhaps we’ll be able to open more than two churches this winter,” said Shaw.

The Emmanuel Assembly of God in Onset requires a smoke and carbon monoxide system, pull boxes, and other safety features, which Pastor Colon Wright says will cost nearly $12,000.

The Church of the Good Shepherd needs carbon monoxide sensors and sprinklers. St. Patrick’s Church is already up to code.

The program typically begins around Christmastime.

Can you help? Donations can be made to the Wareham Area Clergy Association, PO Box 257, Wareham MA 02571. Note that the donation is for the Nights of Hospitality.