Columbia set to open temporary warming center at Wabash bus station this week

COLUMBIA , Mo (KMIZ)

More cold temperatures are expected to come in the following days. When winter weather hits and temperatures get too low for people to be on the streets, warming centers are ready. 

The City of Columbia announced Sunday it will open a temporary overnight warming center at the Wabash bus on 126 N. 10th for Wednesday and Thursday. The decision comes after Columbia said the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasted cold weather below 9 degrees Fahrenheit.

Columbia says the overnight warming center at the bus station will be open Wednesday, Jan. 19 and Thursday, Jan. 20 from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m for warming.

Debby Graham, is the Board President for Room At The Inn, a winter emergency shelter here in Columbia. Graham said it has been almost at capacity every night since the start of the year.

"We have been pretty full, especially since the first of the year. We've been running between 45 and 50 folks staying with us every night," said Graham

Graham says due to pre-planning, it has all the essential items to keep their operation going but can always use items like lunch meat, bread, and coffee. At their current location at Broadway Christian Church, each bed has been socially distanced with COVID -19 protections.

Room At The Inn often moves locations in the winter season and more information on it's location can be found on their website. Graham said while she is thankful for all the help, they can't always fit 50 people.

"We have to lower our capacity...we still need them to be host size but they just don't have the space that some of the larger churches have," said Graham. 

 Steve Jacobs is a worker at St. Francis, an all-male shelter in Columbia. Jacobs says it tries to help everyone that needs food but in order to stay overnight you need to be vaccinated.

"We don't want people coming into the house who haven't been vaccinated. So, the ones that have been vaccinated can come in and eat with us but the ones who have not, we give them food to take with them or they can eat it outside on our porch," said Jacobs.

Graham said there is still a need for a more permanent shelter. She told ABC 17 news she hopes this year they can finalize plans for a stable location.

Columbia says warming centers are available to the general public during the building's normal business hours.

Columbia's warming centers include:

• ARC (Activity and Recreation Center), 1701 W. Ash St.
• Boone County Government Center, 801 E. Walnut St.
• Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, 1005 W. Worley St.
• Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway
• Salvation Army, 1108 W. Ash St.
• Salvation Army Harbor House, 602 N. Ann St.
• St. Francis House, 901 Range Line St.

Official shelters provide sleeping accommodations and they may or may not include meals. Shelter availability may vary.

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.
• Rainbow House (for children/youth), 1611 Towne Dr.
• True North (for domestic violence), please call 573.875.1370
• Welcome Home (for veterans), 2120 Business Loop 70 E.
• St. Francis House (for men), 901 Range Line St. - must be vaccinated to stay overnight

Contact information for warming centers and shelters in Columbia, can be found on the City of Columbia website.