FOX VALLEY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The sub-zero temperatures are keeping warming shelters throughout Northeast Wisconsin busy.
Fox Valley Warming Shelter Executive Director Scott Peeples says his facility is close to reaching its 60-person capacity, which is a bit uncommon.
“Sometimes our numbers are lower in November and December, but they’ve stayed pretty consistent this year.”
Aside from being open Christmas and New Years days, they’re typically closed each day until 5 pm.
However, Peeples says clients do have some local options during the day.
“Our community is really welcoming, the business community, places like coffee shops.”
Peeples notes clients are also often able to spend the day at the library or bus depot.
In Oshkosh, Lorraine Yarbrough’s Day by Day Warming Shelter has reached its 25-person limit.
She says they stayed open Tuesday, despite typically closing down until the evening.
“It is our policy that when it feels like 18 to 20 below, that we’ll try to do the best we can to stay open for the daytime for the guests.”
Despite reaching its capacity, Yarbrough notes they are still looking to help those they can’t house.
“Sleeping bags, we’ll make sure they have warm coats, hats, gloves, boots, whatever they need.”
Meanwhile, the Salvation Army is planning to open a warming shelter in the Green Bay area, currently running one in Fond du Lac.
