Shelters are expected to reach capacity tonight as temps continue to drop
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
As the temperatures continue to drop into the low teens tonight, shelters are expecting to reach capacity.
The Room at the Inn is operating out of two locations this year in order to help reduce the risk of guest's exposure to the virus.
The Eastwood Motel was assigned to be the shelter site for guests who have tested positive for COVID, are medically at risk to the virus, or who must quarantine.
A volunteer at the Eastwood Motel shelter site said guests must bring their COVID positive results or a note from their doctor to stay at this location. All other guests are directed to the 'mass care' shelter site at the Unitarian Universalist Church. At around 6:30 this evening, the volunteer said the motel location has about 18 guests checked into rooms, but they expected to see more as the night continues.
The mass care shelter site at The Unitarian Universalist Church had a line outside of the door this evening. Guests waited outside to be admitted into the shelter. They said they had been waiting for almost an hour to get in. The shelter was getting close to capacity, and it is expected to reach capacity by the end of the night.
Both locations are expected to reach capacity as temperatures continue to drop. The volunteer at the shelter said the Eastwood Motel location is expected to stop taking guests at around 11 p.m. and the Unitarian Universalist Church stopped at around 8 p.m.
As cold weather is expected to continue throughout the winter season the Room At The Inn is accepting volunteers to help out at the 2 shelter sites. Anyone 18 or older can sign up to volunteer by filling out an online application.
