Some homeless shelters not open despite cold
Another round of winter-like weather is headed for mid-Missouri, but some shelters have not opened for the season yet.
“We were taken aback by the level of the cold and how quickly it got cold,” Rainbow House Homeless Youth Program Coordinator Mark Kirchhoff said. “Exposure in the hot weather, in the cold weather, obviously the risk for death is much more prominent, especially when it’s cold weather that sneaks up on you like this.”
The Room at the Inn shelter takes in homeless people too, but only in the winter, so despite the winter-like weather it hasn’t opened yet. The shelter opens Dec. 9 and stays open until March 2 at various Columbia churches.
“Room at the Inn usually tries to accommodate people during the cold weather, but the cold weather got a jump on everybody this year, so there’s a lot more people suffering out in the cold than typical,” said Steve Jacobs, a founding member of St. Francis House.
Because the weather took many by surprise, “there’s been a much bigger boots on the ground effort to try and get out to people that, especially our un-sheltered homeless population to make sure that they have adequate blankets, sleeping bags and also try to help get inside if they can, if those resources are available,” Kirchhoff said.
Warming centers are available throughout Columbia for when homeless shelters are at capacity or not open during the daytime.
St. Francis House in Columbia is a men-only shelter.
Rainbow House is the only place in Boone County that provides shelter for youth between 16 and 18 years old, but it only has four beds.
Kirchhoff said getting people inside during freezing temperatures is a matter of life or death.
“I mean it’s a year-round battle for them and we just try, that’s why our efforts never really end, they obviously ramp up when it gets really hot or really cold,” he said.
Jacobs said when they have to turn people away because their shelter is at capacity, they at least want to send them with a dry blanket or sleeping bag.
“When we fill up we can only take so many people so, when more people arrive, you know, you want to be able to help them,” he said.
Shelters are in need of:
Blankets Jackets Sleeping bags Tents Socks Hand warmers Propane Tanks Any cold weather gear
To donate any of these items, contact any of the following shelters:
New Life Evangelistic Center (for men) 901 Wilkes Blvd. 573.875.0603 Rainbow House (for children/youth) 1611 Towne Dr. 573.474.6600 Salvation Army Harbor House 602 N Ann 573.442.1984 St. Francis House (for men) 901 Range Line St. 573.875.4913 True North (for domestic violence) Please Call 573.875.1370
Table courtesy of Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services
