Local shelters dealing with influx of guests amid dangerous cold
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Frigid weather throughout Mid-Missouri in recent weeks has led to more guests at shelters, but not enough space.
"We've been at our full pretty much every night," Columbia Room at the Inn Executive Director John Trapp said. "We've had to add some more cots in order to get everyone in."
Trapp said the shelter, located on Ashley Street in central Columbia, has enough space for 95 beds. However, due to an increased demand amid bitter cold temperatures, Trapp said the shelter had roughly 100 beds on Monday night.
The surge in guests has also led to several people being turned away, Trapp said.
However, he said RATI made sure anyone who wasn't able to get into their doors, were able to find a place to stay at either the Salvation Army Harbor House or Turning Point shelter.
Director of Salvation Army Harbor House Catherine Wallis said the shelter has had more people showing up during intake hours than they've experienced in a long time. That increase has also led to several people being turned away.
"So typically we have just like one to three show up if we have a bed available, but we've had 6 to 10 show up when we only have one bed to give out," Wallis said.
The shelter operates as a 24/7 full-stay program, where people typically can stay for up to 90 days and be granted an extension to 180 days if they follow the requirements of the program. The shelter has space for 60 beds, Wallis said.
The shelter also has a warming center open during the day when the temperature is below 35 degrees, according to Wallis. Wallis said the shelter is currently in need of food donations, cold medicine, towels and gloves for anyone looking to make a donation.
Room at the Inn is open 6:30 p.m.-8 a.m. Monday-Friday. Trapp said if the extreme cold extends into the weekend, the shelter may consider staying open. He said the shelter is always in need of volunteers.
According to Jefferson City Room at the Inn Chair Sarah Hamilton, the shelter has been full most nights, turning away anywhere from one to six people each night. The shelter has space for 20 people.
In an email sent to ABC 17 News Tuesday evening, Hamilton said the shelter will be open all day Tuesday night due to numerous businesses and the library in the area being closed. The shelter's normal hours of operation are from 5:30 p.m.-7 a.m.
