Haven from the cold: Wooster Salvation Army Severe Weather Shelter expects busier winter
WOOSTER − It's only a matter of time before the bone-chilling cold of winter causes the Salvation Army Wooster Corps to open its Severe Weather Shelter.
As of Dec. 1, the shelter is open when temperatures dip below freezing at 25 degrees and colder, or wind chills make it feel that cold or colder. Previously, the shelter had opened when the outdoor temperature felt colder than 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but that was bumped up to 25 degrees above zero, said Wyn Jones of the Wooster Homelessness Task Force.
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"This includes the wind chill factor," said Lt. Kaitlyn Haddix of the Salvation Army. "This is to better serve the community."
Open through March 31, Haddix predicts a busier winter season this year than last year when the shelter opened for 72 nights and served 118 people.
"We've already been receiving calls from people," she said, noting people were directed to other community resources before Dec. 1.
Preparing for a busy winter
To prepare for a possibly colder and busier winter, the Salvation Army has more volunteers than the 50 it had last year who checked people into the shelter.
More overnight staff are also being hired. These are social service workers who work during the day and attend the shelter from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Because they are paid $20 per hour and are hard to come by, the shelter, with the aid of the United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties, is raising $30,000 to pay staff and fund the shelter.
The winter shelter is not part of any budget, Jones said. Nearly 75% of its operating funds come from donations.
"A donation of $200 will keep up to 20 of our unsheltered guests warm and fed for an entire night," Jones said.
The shelter is accepting material donations, including thermal socks, gloves and hygienic supplies.
"We're also looking for in-kind donations like food, socks, gloves, hand warmers and hygiene supplies," Haddix said. "Good snacks are fruit cups, fruit bars, granola bars, protein bars."
Local churches and individuals will continue to provide nightly meals under the direction of the Homelessness Task Force, she said.
People can donate online via the Severe Weather Shelter fund set up by United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties.
For check donations, donors can send a check made out to United Way of Wayne/Holmes, 215 S. Walnut St. Wooster, Ohio 44691, and write “Severe Weather Shelter” on the memo line.
For in-kind donations, anyone can drop off supplies at the Salvation Army in downtown Wooster.
Housing and Homelessness info event
A call-to-action community meeting about providing shelter for everyone will be 7 p.m. on Feb. 9 at First Presbyterian Church in Bruch Hall.
The event is sponsored by Wayne County social service agencies like the Wooster Homelessness Task Force and the Wayne County Housing Coalition.
Speakers will discuss the latest housing costs and cost of living data. Homelessness survivors will talk about their time with housing and the struggles they endured.
Solutions like permanent supportive housing and volunteer and advocacy opportunities will be discussed.
If inclement weather cancels the event, it will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wooster Severe Weather Shelter open to all during freezing temps
