Warming centers continue to welcome guests during bitterly cold temperatures

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Warming centers remain open as dangerously cold temperatures are expected to stay in Mid-Missouri through the weekend.

The City of Columbia first opened a warming site at the Wabash bus station as temperatures dipped into the single digits Saturday. But the bitter cold has stuck around, extending the need for shelter. And the cold is only expected to get worse, with weekend lows possibly dipping below zero.

The overnight warming center at the station will be open through Saturday night from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day.

The Salvation Army Shelters in both Jefferson City and Columbia will have beds for guests, but they will still be limited because of social distancing guidelines.

Getting the message out to those who need the service is important.

Salvation Army spokeswoman Lori Benson said many homeless people have government-issued cellphones that can be used to access information about available sites.

"A lot of the communication is word of mouth," Benson said. "Through the homeless community, they communicate with each other on where they can go to get specific type of services."

Benson said the Salvation Army posts about its warming centers on social media and through its website. The organization also puts up posters and flyers.

The Salvation Army has 12 cots available in Columbia and 14 cots spaced in Jefferson City.

Benton said Columbia site has not had to turn down anyone because of limited space but the location in Jefferson City had to last weekend.

When that happens, she said the Salvation Army contacts other sites to make sure these individuals have additional options.

Debby Graham, Room at the Inn board president, said several agenices, such as Phoenix Health Programs, Burrell, and New Horizons have street outreach teams that go into the homeless camps to inform them on where they can go. Room at the Inn is an overnight homeless shelter that rotates among several Columbia churches.

Columbia Homeless Outreach Team (CHOT) is Columbia/Boone County’s local street outreach team. They coordinate weekly to have street outreach teams at homeless camps, downtown Columbia, and other locations where people who are un-sheltered may be staying.

The CHOT team includes staff from: Burrell Behavioral Health, Columbia Police Department, New Horizons, Phoenix Health Programs, Rainbow House’s Homeless Youth Program, and Truman VA Hospital.

Columbia's other warming centers include:

• ARC (Activity and Recreation Center), 1701 W. Ash St.
• Boone County Government Center, 801 E. Walnut St.
• Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services, 1005 W. Worley St.

Jefferson City's warming centers include:

• Capital Mall, 3600 County Club Drive; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
• Clarke Senior Center, 1310 Linden Drive; 573-634-8020; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday through Friday; closed during severe weather and on holidays.
• Missouri River Regional Library, 214 Adams St.; 573-634-2464; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
• The Salvation Army of Jefferson City can provide overnight cots during cold weather. For more information, call 573-635-1975

Other options are available. Columbia's official shelters include:

• Room at the Inn. Visit roomattheinncomo.org for dates and locations
• Salvation Army Harbor House (men, women and families), 602 N. Ann St.
• St. Francis House (for men), 901 Range Line St. - no availability at this time
• Lois Bryant House (women and families), 913 Range Line St. - no availability at this time
• Rainbow House (for children/youth), 1611 Towne Drive.
• True North (for domestic violence), please call 573-875-1370
• Welcome Home (for veterans), 2120 Business Loop 70 E.