Columbia homeless shelters prepare for winter weather
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Winter weather in expected to hit Missouri next week and local shelters that cater to the homeless are preparing to be full. The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team issued a Weather Alert Day for Monday and Tuesday for the potential of accumulating snow, strong winds and road impacts early next week.
Columbia Room At The Inn Executive Director John Trapp said the shelter is prepared for the weather, but his concern is that the roads will keep the staff from getting there.
"I think we're prepared. The main concern is the staff being able to get here because we shuttle the guests from Loaves and Fishes and that's pretty local. And I'm sure we can get them here. So getting staff in is a big concern," Trapp said.
Trapp said even if the roads keep the some staff from getting there, the current staff will still be able to fulfill their mission. Room At The Inn is expecting a full house. It has 85 cots and the staff are prepared to put in a few more if necessary.
Salvation Army Officer Amy Cedervall with the Harbor House in Columbia said if the roads do become an issue due to weather for staff they are prepared.
"Worst case scenario, all of our staff is willing to stay on for an extra shift until some of the roads become passable enough for somebody to come in," Cedervall said.
Salvation Army does cater more to families. Cedervall said there's no place else for them to go. The shelters around Columbia work with each other in cases of overflow.
"When room at the inn has beds or beds available, then we push all the singles there," Cedervall said. "Once room at the inn gets full, we bring singles in for cots as well. But our focus at this point is primarily the families, just because there is no place else for them to go."
Room At The Inn said it is well supplied and ready for the weather, but always in need of volunteers. Salvation Army is also supplied and prepared, but is always looking for personal needs items.
