By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Temperatures dropped earlier this week, before beginning to rise to unseasonably warm temperatures.
They will drop again.
When they do, the United Way of Greater St. Joseph is ready to help with warming stations across the city to help those less fortunate.
United Way President Kylee Strough says these warming stations are provided by businesses that already typically have their doors open, inviting people to get out of the cold for a bit to warm up.
"So we don't necessarily hear when their seeing an influx in people," Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "What I can say is, our phones are not ringing off the hook with asking where they can go get warm, so to me that's a good sign."
Strough says even last year when COVID hit in March, during the a cold part of the year, they were still fortunate to find people to open their doors, while some businesses simply couldn't.
"They have limited staffing and don't keep their doors unlocked, or they've put in some measures to protect their staff, clients and customers," Strough explains. "So, while there weren't businesses that were designated warming centers, I think there were other places that people could go spend a little bit of time."
Strough says especially in a time like this in the midst of a pandemic, United Way is grateful to see businesses open their doors to help people stay warm even if they aren't there to conduct business.
Strough says that right now there are eight warming stations around St. Joseph and one in Savannah.
But, Strough says there are plans to expand in the facilities to keep people warm, saying that United Way and other community services are working on a plan to open emergency overnight shelters, one for men and one for women, January 4th through the end of February.
"We don't want to see anybody lose life or limb because of the extreme cold temperatures when they occur," Strough says. "And we want to offer shelter that has low barrier to entry, so that you can show up the night of, and be welcomed."
Strough says now the biggest need is finding volunteers willing to stay overnight in those shelters and assist those in need.
You can find out more information about the overnight shelter plan and also volunteer to help HERE.