Homeless shelters at capacity due to cold temps

While most of us can escape the frigid conditions by simply going home, that's not the case for people in our area that are homeless.

Homewardbound of the Grand Valley says they have been working at capacity this past week and need your help.

"We are completely full,” said Jesse Redmond, Development Director at Homewardbound.

More than 120 people use the shelter almost every night.

"We are at our limit for the people we can help,” said Redmond.

On cold nights like Sunday, the beds go quick. They say families make up 34 percent of the homeless in America.

"We run completely on donations, monetary and in-kind donations. Without the supporters in the community we couldn't do anything,” said Redmond.

Hypothermia can set in when temperatures drop below 50 degrees.

"We are looking forward to having this new building where we can double our capacity because the need is there,” said Redmond.

In order to guarantee that new building, they need your help.

"We are pretty stocked up on coats so instead we would ask for a lot of scarves, gloves, hats, and some hand warmers would be amazing,” said Redmond.

They need your help with cash donations and food just in time for the holidays.

"Santa’s coming on December 17 and we provide the gift of warmth on Christmas day where everybody can just hang out and have some hot coffee and hot chocolate, eat some food and just hang out and visit with everyone else,” said Redmond.

Homewardbound says their new Pathways Family Shelter could almost double their current capacity.

As for now, they use the Salvation Army’s location as an overflow on North 4th Street.

You can drop off items at their shelter located at 2853 North Avenue or call 970-256-9424. More details about the Pathways Family Shelter are to the right of this article.