The extreme cold is keeping Lincoln’s largest homeless shelter busy. “We’re housing anywhere from 150 t0 180 men right now and another 100 to 120 women and kids,” says Pastor Tom Barber of People’s City Mission.
The shelter’s numbers have increased by nearly 22 percent compared to last month Barber says they have brought in more staff and food to help care for those needing a warm place to stay. “We have about 110 bunk beds and so we can fill those up. Then we do have come cots. Once we get beyond the cots we’ll put some bedding out on the floor. So far this year we are not down to the mats yet,” Barber says.
Barber says they don’t turn anyone away when the weather is this cold. “if we ask someone to leave for bad behavior or some other issues when it gets cold we let folks in anyway just because we don’t want anyone having major health conditions, even losing their life on the streets when it gets this cold.”
He says if anyone wants to lend a hand they can use some volunteers and cash donations can help them care for the extra people in their shelter. You can donate at pcmlincoln.org