Organizations around the Triangle prepare to help the needy stay warm
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- As night fell, a Wake County Salvation Army worker raised the white flag outside the main entrance of the Judy D. Zelnak Center of Hope on Capital Boulevard.
It's the universal sign in town that cold nights and days are ahead for women and children in need.
"That's a signal to let people know, 'Hey, it's cold outside. We're opening up our doors and doing everything we can to get you inside,'" explained Salvation Army Public Relations Director Lizzy Adams. "We don't want people sleeping in cars or on park benches."
ABC11 Chief Meteorologist Chris Hohmann is forecasting temperatures to drop into the 30s Friday morning and plunge to the mid to upper 20s the following evenings during the weekend and beyond.
The Salvation Army is beefing up its usual 93 bed accommodations to help as many people as possible. Right now space is available, but sustained freezing nights could create a waitlist.
"We typically have anywhere between about 11 on mats and cots at any given time, but we went ahead and ordered about 10 more cots and 20 mats," Adams said. "We will be prepared whether we have to put people in our play rooms, or we fill up all of our beds."
Raleigh's Helping Hand Mission tried to get ahead of the cold snap by handing out space heaters Thursday afternoon.
"Right now, we've got about 125 left and we're passing them out to families in need," said Helping Hand Mission Executive Director Sylvia Wiggins.
Officials with both the Helping Hand Mission and the Salvation Army say they will need help from the public as the season gets going because both organizations expect a high demand.
"Unfortunately, we'll need more items like food, like soap and deodorant and these basic hygiene products because we're meeting the need for more people," said Adams.
To donate, visit the links below:
http://www.helpinghandmission.org/
