FREE ACCESS: Bread Shed overnight shelter open nights during freeze

An overnight shelter served about seven people during subzero temperatures Sunday night, and is expected to reopen Monday night.

The shelter is open 7 p.m.-7 a.m. at the Bread Shed when temperatures drop below 20 degrees.

“A couple were homeless, living on the street and going from place to place,” said Chris Kellum, director of the Bread Shed. “One was from North Carolina and stuck here.”

Temperatures on Sunday ranged from 18-6 degrees, with windchills as low as -11 by early Monday morning. A high Monday of 15 was projected, with more snow falling again in the morning. A high Tuesday of 21 degrees is expected.

Temperatures are not expected to climb above freezing until Wednesday.

The shelter is in need of monetary donations and volunteers to help man the overnight hours, said Kellum. The monetary donations are needed to help with items like the increased utilities from running the heat.

Community partners have made this possible, he explained.

In addition to the Bread Shed volunteers, Christway Ministries and FCC Behavioral Health are also helping the shelter.

Community members have also donated plenty of pillows and blankets, as well as food, along of monetary donations.

Jen’s Diner provided a hot breakfast Monday morning for those staying at the shelter.

The shelter is trying to provide those staying overnight with a meal in the evening and in the morning, Kellum said.

It is not a soup kitchen and is not able to provide meals to the community, only those staying overnight, he added.

Transportation was provided Monday morning by volunteers to take those who stayed overnight to places where they could stay warm during the day, Kellum said.

For information to volunteer or donate, call 573-712-6597.