This holiday weekend, 10+ overnight shelters remain in 'critical need' of volunteers

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader
·4 min read

Seven more churches have opened their doors as overnight crisis cold weather shelters this weekend, but volunteers are still in critical need.

The National Weather Service issued a wind chill warning and advisory this morning, in effect until 6 p.m. Wind chills are expected to be as low as between 20 to 35 degrees below zero. The NWS's forecast predicts a high of 21 degrees on Saturday and a high of 28 degrees on Sunday.

Those seeking evening shelter should make their way to Grace United Methodist Church at 600 S. Jefferson Ave. or to Springfield Expo Center at 635 E. St. Louis St., where The Connecting Grounds has set up shop, between 5-6 p.m. Hot meals will be provided before buses transport folks to an appropriate shelter at 6:30 p.m.

More:Grace United Methodist Church to serve as 7-day meal site for crisis cold weather shelters

Seven supplemental crisis cold weather shelters are open through Saturday evening:

  • St. John's Chapel at 4344 S. Fremont Ave. can serve up to 15 individuals

  • St. John's United Church of Christ at 1110 N. Main Ave. can serve up to 10 women

  • St. John's Episcopal Church at 515 E. Division St. can serve up to 10 individuals

  • Brentwood Christian Church at 1900 E. Barataria St. can serve up to 20 individuals with pets

  • The Venues at 425 W. Walnut St. can serve up to 20 individuals on Saturday

  • The Venues at 2616 E. Battlefield Road can serve up to 75 individuals

  • National Avenue Christian Church at 1515 S. National Ave. can serve families

This weekend and through the remainder of the crisis cold weather season, eight shelters are open permanently:

  • East Sunshine Church of Christ at 3721 E. Sunshine St. can serve up to 50 men

  • Grace United Methodist Church can serve up to 20 women

  • Asbury United Methodist Church at 1500 S. Campbell Ave. can serve up to 35 individuals with pets

  • Unity of Springfield Church at 2214 E. Seminole St. can serve up to 22 individuals

  • Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 1609 N. Summit Ave. can serve up to 25 individuals with pets

  • Eden Village I at 2801 E. Division St. can serve up to 25 individuals and pets

  • Salvation Army Harbor House at 636 N. Boonville Ave. can serve up to 20 men

  • YouthConnect Center at 425 W. McDaniel St. can serve up to eight youth ages 13-18

More:Springfield trauma surgeon: To avoid injury from wind chill, cover skin and stay inside

A handful of these overnight shelters are also providing day shelter services through Sunday, Community Partnership of the Ozarks Crisis Cold Weather Shelter Coordinator Lisa Landrigan said. Folks at these shelters are fed three meals a day and are encouraged to participate in indoor activities to avoid going out in the winter weather.

Several organizations have opened their spaces solely as day warming centers for the weekend.

While Springfield Public Libraries are closed to patrons this weekend, multiple locations are opening as warming centers. On Friday, the Library Center, Library Station and Schweitzer Brentwood locations are scheduled to be open until 8 p.m. and the Midtown and Park Central locations are scheduled to be open until 6 p.m.

Other day warming centers include:

  • The Connecting Grounds' Springfield Expo Center at 635 E. St. Louis St., open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Saturday.

  • The Veterans Coming Home Center at 806 N. Jefferson Ave., open 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Saturday and noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

  • Northview Family Center at 301 E. Talmage St., open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday

  • Salvation Army at 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway, open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday

  • Salvation Army Harbor House, open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Sunday

For updates on crisis cold weather shelter statuses, call 417-605-3007, check the "Crisis Cold Weather Shelter Updates" Facebook Group at bit.ly/3GcSvkI or download the free "Shelter SGF" mobile app.

Volunteers are in dire need this weekend.

More than anything, the crisis cold weather shelter community is in need of volunteers, providing aid in a variety of areas.

An overnight volunteer works with another volunteer to check folks in and help get them situated for the evening. Overnight volunteer shifts are between approximately 7:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.

If you are interested in serving as an overnight volunteer, complete CPO's volunteer interest form, accessible online at bit.ly/3DkSqsA. This form is shared among all the crisis cold weather shelters.

If you are new to overnight volunteerism, CPO offers a 15-minute video which outlines volunteer duties and expectations. This video is accessible on YouTube at bit.ly/3vbxSyO.

The Connecting Grounds also has a volunteer interest form available that shares information with area churches and organizations. This form allows folks to choose between several volunteer options, including making meals, sponsoring a hotel room, providing supplies, transporting those in need or fostering pets. The interest form, specifically for providing help this weekend, is available online at bit.ly/3GcRzg2.

Outside of the online volunteer forms, Landrigan encouraged folks to call any shelter to inquire what its needs are.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: This holiday, overnight shelters are in dire need of volunteers