GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The frigid temperatures we’re experiencing across Northeast Wisconsin are keeping homeless shelters busy.
In a time like this, the work they do is especially important in taking care of some of the most vulnerable in our community.
“This seemed to happen kind of quickly. I mean, it was cold yesterday, but it is freezing cold today,” CEO of New Community Shelter of Green Bay Terri Refsguard said.
Refsguard said when she came in to look at their winter clothing supply on Thursday, she noticed it was depleted. Oftentimes, people come in with just a sweatshirt.
“We’ve got so many people that ride their bikes to work… walking to the Salvation Army for lunch, and we need hats, we need gloves, we need coats,” Refsguard said.
New Community Shelter is at capacity right now, and has a wait list for people to get in year-round. As winter sets in, people try to find a place before it gets really cold outside. With Thursday’s arctic air, Refsguard said more calls to check on availability can be common.
“People tend to scurry to get where they’re going to be to ride out this cold weather so we see numbers at our door,” Refsguard said.
New Community Shelter served up a hot meal Thursday so residents didn’t have to walk to the Salvation Army shelter several blocks away. Typically, they don’t serve lunch on weekdays, but with the frigid temperatures Thursday was an exception.
“It’s definitely nice, it really is. Because otherwise I probably would be out walking right now,” New Community Shelter resident Sarah Davies
Davies has lived at this shelter for three months now. She said it’s a lifesaver being able to stay warm in a place like this, on a day like this.
“It’s nice to be able to know that you got a place to sleep, stay warm, be fed, it’s actually really nice,” Davies said.
While it’ll warm up this weekend, New Community Shelter is ready for colder days ahead.
If you have any winter clothes you’d like to donate to New Community Shelter, all are welcome to drop off donations during their hours of operation.
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