Winter Storms Bringing An Increase To Local Shelters
By: Casie Mason
Updated: December 29, 2012
We've seen a lot of snow in the Tri-State this week and it's causing many to stay indoors. While most people can escape to the warmth of their respective homes there are some who don't have that option. The snow continues to fall, and in the midst of these icy conditions there are some in the Tri-State who are simply trying to survive. Today I spoke with those needing a place out of the cold here in Evansville and the shelter that is doing its best to help.
Icy roads and slippery sidewalks concern many after this week's snow storm, but for some having a place to escape the cold is all that matters. "I came here to get out of the cold too at night time. It's a relief. This shelter, this place, helps bring people back to the way the need to be."
The lower the temperature, the higher the need here at United Caring Shelter. "We have quite a few come in lately. We've had more of an influx since the snow. We've seen anywhere between a ten to fifteen percent increase. We try to help everybody get off the street where they don't get frozen or cold or anything," says shelter attendants Steve Ammons.
Working at UCS every year Steven Ammons sees how the cold can be a dangerous thing. "We can only just do so much. I just really don't look forward to the cold weather, I really don't," he says.
Volunteers like Jennie Hiam go the extra mile when the cold arrives. "I do occasionally see somebody out on the street with the sign, and I have stopped and told them about it so they could come here too. It's for anybody that wants to come," says Hiam.
Thanks to a 'white flag' system those needing a warm place to go this season will not be turned down. "We have a 'white flag program' that after eight o'clock they are allowed to come in. We've set up cots and mats for anybody to come in off the street. If the temperature is below thirty-two degrees for more than three hours, we move the tables and the chairs and everything out of the way. We've seen anywhere from eighteen to twenty at least every night for the last week."
Though the cold will eventually leave help from United Caring Shelters will continue to be around, no matter what mother nature brings.United Caring Shelters says they are always accepting donations no matter the weather, and are located downtown Evansville.
Icy roads and slippery sidewalks concern many after this week's snow storm, but for some having a place to escape the cold is all that matters. "I came here to get out of the cold too at night time. It's a relief. This shelter, this place, helps bring people back to the way the need to be."
The lower the temperature, the higher the need here at United Caring Shelter. "We have quite a few come in lately. We've had more of an influx since the snow. We've seen anywhere between a ten to fifteen percent increase. We try to help everybody get off the street where they don't get frozen or cold or anything," says shelter attendants Steve Ammons.
Working at UCS every year Steven Ammons sees how the cold can be a dangerous thing. "We can only just do so much. I just really don't look forward to the cold weather, I really don't," he says.
Volunteers like Jennie Hiam go the extra mile when the cold arrives. "I do occasionally see somebody out on the street with the sign, and I have stopped and told them about it so they could come here too. It's for anybody that wants to come," says Hiam.
Thanks to a 'white flag' system those needing a warm place to go this season will not be turned down. "We have a 'white flag program' that after eight o'clock they are allowed to come in. We've set up cots and mats for anybody to come in off the street. If the temperature is below thirty-two degrees for more than three hours, we move the tables and the chairs and everything out of the way. We've seen anywhere from eighteen to twenty at least every night for the last week."
Though the cold will eventually leave help from United Caring Shelters will continue to be around, no matter what mother nature brings.United Caring Shelters says they are always accepting donations no matter the weather, and are located downtown Evansville.
