TULSA, OKLA. (KTUL) — Emergency shelters are working together to keep people warm, but with these shelters currently hosting more people, they’re in need of donations.
“The other shelters around, we communicate with them and collaborate with them in order to help as many people as we can safely and efficiently,” said Ryan McCullough, the Director of Guest Services at the John 3:16 Mission Downtown shelter location.
A collaboration between multiple organizations in Tulsa to help keep residents warm as another round of freezing weather hits the state.
“If it feels like 32 or colder, our warming station immediately goes into activation,” said McCullough.
One of those organizations is John 3:16 Mission, a nonprofit that opened a warming station in their downtown emergency shelter.
“They’re out in the cold, they need somewhere to come to warm up for a little while and be safe. They can come here and that’s available 24-7,” said McCullough.
Another warming station is at Tulsa Day Center.
CEO of the center, Mack Haltom says that, unlike the last cold snap, there aren’t any overflow shelters, so people will have to rely entirely on the emergency shelters for overnight warmth.
“We’re going to really have to hopefully make room with as many people as we can to get them inside during the day and during our night shelter, and I know the other shelters will be having the same kind of issues,” said Haltom.
The other shelters that are opening their doors include the Salvation Army Center of Hope and Youth Services of Tulsa.
“With the increased numbers, I think, of course, increased needs that we need for the Tulsa Day Center, keeping our building open, the costs of utilities, and the supplies we need to help people take care of people,” said Haltom.
Haltom says people can help them by donating warm clothing, and they are also taking financial donations to keep the building open and heated.
John 3:16 Mission is asking for towels and scrubs, hand warmers, emergency blankets, gloves, and socks, and just like Tulsa Day Center, they’re also taking monetary donations.
Information on the open emergency shelters and warming stations can be found on the Housing Solutions Tulsa website.
You can donate by going to the John 3:16 mission website or the Tulsa Day Center website or you can bring item donations to those locations.
As the temperature drops, Tulsa shelters are seeing an increase in the number of guests seeking refuge from the cold. With this rise in guests, shelters are in need of clothing donations to help keep those in need warm during the winter months.
Many shelters are also in need of monetary donations to help cover the costs of providing shelter, food, and other essential services to those experiencing homelessness. By donating money, you can help ensure that shelters have the resources they need to support those in need.
If you have gently used clothing or monetary donations to spare, please consider donating to a Tulsa shelter near you. Your generosity can make a big difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness this winter. Let’s come together as a community to support those in need during this challenging time.
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- Tulsa homeless shelters
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- giving back
- support local shelters
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