Homeless shelter in Fulton under-equipped for cold spike
Shelters in Mid-Missouri have been facing larger crowds and a heavy demand for winter clothing early this year, as temperature dropped below freezing after a round snow in early November.
“We always say, in Missouri, if you don’t like the weather just wait 15 minutes and it’ll change,” said Misty Dothage, executive director of Our House, which is a homeless shelter in Fulton.
She said the sudden drop in temperature created a demand for heavy clothing they couldn’t keep up with.
“We weren’t ready,” Dothage said. “We thought we were going to get a fall this year, but it seems it went straight from summer to winter.”
On Tuesday night, Our House hosted 23 individuals and families. Only two beds were left empty.
“It’s been busy,” Dothage said. “And with Columbia and Jefferson City being just as busy, the overflow is coming to us.”
Our House will be hosting a Homelessness Awareness and Supply Drive outside the Walmart in Fulton Friday, Nov. 16 from 3-7 p.m. to help supply their nonprofit with enough clothes, hats and gloves for the next stretch of the season.
Donations are also encouraged any day of the week. Dothage said donors can drop items off at the Wiley House any day after 6 p.m.. The address is 831 Jefferson St., Fulton, MO, and anyone can call 573-642-6065 for more information.
