ATLANTA — Shelters and warming stations have opened across metro Atlanta to accommodate the falling temperatures while many families are already looking for help with housing.
DeKalb County opened four warming stations on Tuesday night.
- Fire Station 3 in Avondale Estates
- Fire Station 4 in Elenwood
- Fire Station 6 on Flat Shoals Road in Atlanta
- Frontline Response International on Gresham Road in Atlanta
The warming stations opened at 8 p.m. on Tuesday night and will open again on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Among the non-profit-run shelters that are expanding is Must Ministries in Cobb County. That’s where an Atlanta resident, who's asked to be identified as 'Russ,' found help. Due to an injury several years ago, Russ said he lost his job and now is forced to spend the cold snap sleeping in his car.
“I’m sure it’s going to get cold, but I’ve done it before,” Russ said. “I’ve got a comforter to wrap up, and I’ve got a jacket and all.”
Must Ministries provided Russ with breakfast, a shower, some clothes and the offer of a bed. In addition to the 136 beds in place year-round, the ministry added 40 beds with room for another 30 if the cold increases demand.
But leaders at the shelter said spots were filling long before the cold snap.
“With so many evictions that have taken place over the last few months and government funding running out, people are running out of options,” Ike Reighard, CEO of Must Ministries, said.
The mission looks to do more than give people a place to lay their heads by offering food for those needing to warm their bellies.
“We’re giving away 4.5 tons of food a day,” Reighard said. “Before the pandemic, it was one ton of food a day on average, so all of these numbers have escalated.”
Anyone planning to stay at the Must Ministries shelter overnight must arrive before 8 p.m. or 6 p.m. for dinner. The shelter will remain in cold weather mode through Friday night.
For Russ, he's decided to sleep in his car because, though he knows his life has turned cold, others have it worse.
“I can wrap up and stay warm so I’ll be okay,” Russ said. “I’ll leave the bed for somebody who really needs it.”