The Unbearable Cold
In the midst of the polar vortex, areas all throughout the Midwest suddenly experienced staggeringly low temperatures that made us all want to shut our doors and curl up on the couch at home. But what about those without homes to go to? These frigid temperatures prove to be even more unbearable for those among us who already lack consistent shelter, food, and warmth every day. At the Salvation Army, we see this as an opportunity to live out our mission and serve the vulnerable in our community through such a dire time.
Last week, throughout the Indiana division, our corps community centers were ready with open doors to offer shelter to those in need when long periods of time outdoors can be downright dangerous. Thankfully, cities such as Indianapolis and Evansville already have shelters in place to serve their homeless population when temperatures drop below a certain point. However, several Salvation Army corps remained open and prepared on these cold days to take in more individuals as needed. Some of the Salvation Army corps served as warming centers, providing a space for anyone in need to get warm, have a cup of coffee or hot cocoa, and hang out indoors to avoid standing out in the cold. In addition, some corps provided overnight accommodations for guests, while others offered free transportation to the nearest emergency shelter where they would have a place to stay the night. The corps took to social media to share that they were open as a warming center or shelter.
Cities such as Indianapolis have contingency plans in place designed to ensure that the homeless in the city have access to temporary overnight shelter when the temperature drops to a dangerous level. The Salvation Army strives to care for our community in times of struggle, and when the weather becomes risky, we are ready to open our doors to provide comfort to those lacking their most basic needs.