Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau prepared to open after cold weather sets in

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – After the rain moves through the FOX23 viewing area, it will get cold fast. Temperatures go from the lower 50s around noon to below freezing by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 12. Snow is possible Sunday and Monday with lows in the single digits.

The Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau is prepared to open their doors as an emergency overnight warming center beginning Monday, January 15. Due to the weather prediction, the facility anticipates being open every evening for a week.

When AccuWeather predicts temperatures at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the building will open at 7 p.m. with lights out at 11 p.m. The doors will be locked at 10 p.m. with no re-entry, and guests must leave at 7 a.m.

The Salvation Army hopes to serve a hot meal in the evening and have breakfast items and coffee available in the morning.

The building will be vacated and closed at 7 a.m. to allow time for staff and volunteers to clean and prepare to open during normal business hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The facility will not open if another group scheduled an event at the facility or there are not enough volunteers to ensure the safety of everyone.

“We have always wanted to open our facility, but we wanted to wait until we had everything in place, especially, trained volunteers,” said Capt. Stephen Reinier of The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army is in need of volunteers in many areas, not just assisting with the overnight warming center.

The program also seeks volunteers to serve on its board and to help with their free lunch program, Meals with Friends. Lunch is served every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and is funded in part by United Way of Southeast Missouri (UWSEMO). United Way has led the charge in communicating with local social service agencies, churches, and concerned community members to coordinate a comprehensive plan to shelter the homeless during extreme winter weather.

Elizabeth Shelton, Executive Director of UWSEMO, presented a proposal to the Cape Girardeau City Council on behalf of United Way, The Salvation Army, First Call For Help, and Community Partnership requesting financial support for sheltering the homeless during life-threatening conditions, which the Council denied.

“These United Way funded partners and other organizations serving the homeless have remained committed to finding solutions,” said Shelton. “We have looked at other buildings in Cape Girardeau and even considered transporting people to the Restoration Community Church in Scott City. We are thrilled The Salvation Army is now able to open their doors, and we need our community to show their support.”