Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Extreme Cold Prompts Hundreds Of Oklahomans Experiencing Homelessness To Seek Shelter

Oklahoma City-area shelters have been serving to a whole lot 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 City turned its day shelter into a brief emergency night time shelter. 

The shelter will stay open 24 hours a day by Sunday and accepts individuals and their pets. Kennels and pet meals are offered. No IDs are required.

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Homeless Alliance Executive Director Dan Straughan stated the shelter had 324 friends through the day on Thursday together with 20 canines. 

Straughan stated 125 friends stayed the night time. In addition, Homeless Alliance additionally put 45 individuals in motel rooms for a number of days.

“I think our oldest person (on Thursday) was in his late 70s,” stated Straughan. “We do see youngsters. One of the issues we’re doing with the motel rooms is households with youngsters.”

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In addition, the Homeless Alliance has been providing free meals for its hundreds of guests.

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

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

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“I used to be stunned by how chilly it was with the snow, the wind and every thing,” Cobb said of Thursday’s extreme weather. “To have a spot like that is actually extra of a – you recognize, to not be non secular or something like that – however a godsend. There aren’t too many different locations round that will usher in everybody like that, feed everybody, and simply do their finest to, you recognize, preserve order.”

Cobb said he got his gloves, hat and shoes from the organization. But it’s having a warm place during this Siberian cold front that warms his heart.

“I’ve realized quite a bit, you recognize, simply coming by right here about being compassionate,” Cobb stated.

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

The group welcomes donations to assist proceed such companies. 

Those involved in contributing can click here, after which click on on the “Donate Now” button on the highest proper.

Additional overflow beds can be found at The Salvation Army, City Care and City Rescue Mission. Embark is transporting individuals between the shelters without spending a dime mornings and evenings.

Straughan stated the City Rescue Mission had 125 friends Thursday night time. There have been additionally a number of dozen friends at City Care and The Salvation Army.

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



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