Extreme Cold Prompts Hundreds Of Oklahomans Experiencing Homelessness To Seek Shelter

Oklahoma Metropolis-area shelters have been serving to tons of of individuals experiencing homelessness escape the bitter chilly by offering in a single day lodging.

With wind chills nicely into the negatives on Thursday, the Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma Metropolis turned its day shelter into a short lived emergency night time shelter. 

The shelter will stay open 24 hours a day via Sunday and accepts folks and their pets. Kennels and pet meals are supplied. No IDs are required.

Homeless Alliance Government Director Dan Straughan mentioned the shelter had 324 company through the day on Thursday together with 20 canines. 

Straughan mentioned 125 company stayed the night time. As well as, Homeless Alliance additionally put 45 folks in motel rooms for a number of days.

“I feel our oldest particular person (on Thursday) was in his late 70s,” mentioned Straughan. “We do see children. One of many issues we’re doing with the motel rooms is households with kids.”

As well as, the Homeless Alliance has been offering free meals for its tons of of company.

 “We served 288 breakfasts (Friday) morning – scrambled eggs and sausage. Seemed fairly good,” Straughan mentioned.

Among the many company at Homeless Alliance’s shelter was Leslie Cobb, who doubles as a volunteer there.

“I used to be bowled over by how chilly it was with the snow, the wind and the whole lot,” Cobb mentioned of Thursday’s excessive climate. “To have a spot like that is actually extra of a – you understand, to not be spiritual or something like that – however a godsend. There aren’t too many different locations round that may herald everybody like that, feed everybody, and simply do their greatest to, you understand, keep order.”

Cobb mentioned he obtained his gloves, hat and sneakers from the group. Nevertheless it’s having a heat place throughout this Siberian chilly entrance that warms his coronary heart.

“I’ve discovered rather a lot, you understand, simply coming via right here about being compassionate,” Cobb mentioned.

Straughan mentioned Homeless Alliance spent hundreds of {dollars} to pay for the motel rooms. 

The group welcomes donations to assist proceed such providers. 

These serious about contributing can click on right here, after which click on on the “Donate Now” button on the highest proper.

Further overflow beds can be found at The Salvation Military, Metropolis Care and Metropolis Rescue Mission. Embark is transporting folks between the shelters totally free mornings and evenings.

Straughan mentioned the Metropolis Rescue Mission had 125 company Thursday night time. There have been additionally a number of dozen company at Metropolis Care and The Salvation Military.

Straughan mentioned after speaking with the police chief, they weren’t conscious of any weather-related deaths.