Warming centers see increased need ahead of weekend winter weather

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Warming Centers in Cape Girardeau are working to ensure that no one has to face the freezing temperatures alone. Volunteers say as these colder temperatures roll in, they only expect the numbers that are seeing to increase. 

Tara Lang is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Cape Warming Center she says the center is open tonight and will be open all day and night on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend to anyone facing homelessness as severe winter weather rolls in.

“We’re seeing new faces every time we are open and we have been able to get some into, their own housing” says Lang. “So, some of those are changing out. We had, 34 people come through the door last night, and we expect that that number is going to continue to rise as our snowstorm moves in.” 

With longer opening times comes more need more volunteers and supplies.

 “We are needing more volunteers. We will be adding some shifts. So, if there’s people that don’t like overnights or can’t do overnights or work overnight now is your opportunity and your time to serve on Saturday or Sunday” says Lang.

Lang tells me that they provide a hot meal, coats and even medicine, all supplied through donations and community help.

According to health professionals the body can experience hypothermia when temperatures drop below 35 degrees, this is why lang shares it is detrimental they have resources and stay open.

 “So, the cold is, detrimental to our unsheltered people we’ve already had several that have been admitted to the hospital to be warmed back up that have had exposure issues with temperature and needing to be rehydrated” says Lang.

Those needing a warm place to shelter and a hot meal can simply show up and receive help, all genders and ages are welcome.

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For more information on donation drop offs you can call Cape Warming Center and set up a drop off time or call 1 573-222-0914.