Warming centers, overnight shelters available in Columbia, Jefferson City
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia and Jefferson City have partnered with local shelters to offer a safe place for those who need to stay warm during the extreme cold.
Columbia has multiple daytime warming centers and emergency shelters throughout the city.
Warming centers are offices that offer restrooms, drinking fountains, and a place for the public to access during the cold winter months. Warming centers only operate during regular business hours.
Emergency shelters and overnight warming centers serve as a refuge for those unable to access local emergency shelters. Emergency shelters offer cots, food, and more resources.
Temporary overnight warming centers only operate when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures at or below 25 degrees.
"They offer similar services of protecting people from the cold," said Ryan Sheehan with the Columbia/Boone County Health and Human Services.
"Shelters are a great way for people to have safety during this time," Sheehan said.
Major Justin Windell is with the Jefferson City Salvation Army. He said they are completely full at their Center of Hope Family Shelter.
"We had a family that just checked in to our shelter," Windell said that they are actually overbooked.
The shelter offers an emergency cot program.
"We actually had 14 individuals that spent the night last night," Windell said.
Windell said 14 used to be the capacity of the program during COVID, however as restrictions have been lifted, they can now serve more people.
"We can definitely do more than that," said Windell, "and we will continue to provide as many services as we can."
Windell said the shelter is doing well on its day-to-day resources, but he did say they will need more assistance as the holiday season comes to an end.
"We are actually behind our goal, and we are definitely trying to look for donations," Windell said.
Windell said the shelter is in need of blankets and bedding.
"We allow people to take the bedding that they use," Windell said. "We are always looking for extra pillows, blankets, towels, and those sort of things."
Both the Salvation Army in Jefferson City and Columbia's Room at the Inn are in need of volunteers as well.
The Room at the Inn is one of Columbia's Shelters that will be open during the holiday weekend as long as guests comply with the shelter's rules. It opened at 1 p.m. Friday and will remain open until 9 a.m. Monday.
A full list of Jefferson City shelters can be found here. A full list of Columbia shelters can be found here.
Emergency Shelters in Columbia and Jefferson City include:
Jefferson City
Salvation Army Jefferson City
927 Jefferson Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Clarke Senior Center
1310 Linden Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Columbia
Room at the Inn (WINTER ONLY)
Hours: 7 p.m. – 7 a.m., overnights only
1509 Ashley St.
Salvation Army Harbor House (for men, women and families)
602 N. Ann St.
True North (for domestic violence)
Flourish (for teens)
Rainbow House (for children/youth)
1611 Towne Dr.
Welcome Home (for veterans)
2120 Business Loop 70 E
