Shelters prepare for increased need as temperatures drop

SALISBURY, Md. – While dropping temperatures may mean turning on home heating systems for some, for others, it can mean several long months of struggling to stay warm, and sometimes, survive. That’s why shelters around Salisbury are trying to accommodate as many people as they can.

“With the temperatures dropping down in the upper 30s and mid 30s, we don’t want people getting frostbitten and everything else that goes on with being out in the cold temperatures,” said HALO Executive Director Celeste Savage.

For those experiencing homelessness, dropping temperatures can sometimes even mean the difference between life and death.

“The founder of the shelter was reading the paper that a homeless person had frozen to death. He died. So that inspired him to really start the Christian Shelter,” said Christian Shelter Executive Director Anthony Dickerson.

That’s why local shelters are doing what they can to prepare for an influx of those who don’t have a reliable roof over their heads.

“Our phone lines are going crazy right now with the temperature dropping so fast. We’re just thankful that we have just received our occupancy for our new addition,” said Savage.

Every day at HALO, men, women, and children are served. After having to close down the men’s shelter temporarily for a revamp, renovations are pretty much complete. The shelter is now fitted with brand new bathrooms, dozens of beds, and has a laundry facility on the way.

“From a warehouse to now a place that the guys are going to be able to come in, they’ll have showers, they’ll have a bathroom, where before we didn’t have a shower in our men’s shelter. They had to take sponge baths,” said Savage.

Across the Wicomico River, families experiencing homelessness also rely on the Christian Shelter. Dickerson says that need is especially felt now, as the nights get colder.

“This year it’s tag teamed with people not being able to pay their rent. So, we’ve been getting several calls in the last several months,” he said.

Christian Shelter officials say the harsh reality of more heads needing beds is that some of them have to be turned away. But for those who do make it inside, it can make a world of difference.

“A lot of the guests say ‘I’m glad I’m here. I’m glad I have a roof over my head, I have a warm bed to sleep in, and I have meals to eat,'” said Dickerson.

At HALO, they need shower curtains, towels, and washcloths, and more hands-on deck. The Christian Shelter says they can also use food donations and volunteers.

For more information on how to help HALO, click here. For information on assisting the Christian Shelter, click here.