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Amanda Butterfield Reporting The Road Home, Utah's largest homeless shelter, saw their largest number of the season over night, and they expect high numbers again today.
Their main concern when the weather gets this cold is keeping transients alive, and frostbite free.
Michelle Flynn of the Road Home: "We have 795 people in our shelters, including 107 children.
That's the highest number the Road Home has served this season. Because of the cold temperatures, the shelter is open during the daytime hours, when it's usually closed.
Even though they're packed, they do have room for more people. They are hoping to prevent frostbite cases among the homeless.
According to Michelle Flynn, "When it's cold and snow is wet, there's a very high risk of frost bite. Even being outside during the day is an issue."
It's an issue for the Volunteers of America and their Homeless Outreach Program, too.
There are about 500 homeless people who refuse to come to a shelter, no matter how cold and snowy it gets.
Ed Snoddy of Volunteers of America: "They have this feeling of survival; no one is going to take that away from them."
Those are the folks this group visits regularly.
Both organizations need the same things.
"We need a lot of blankets, we stock up on supplies when we have this many people coming to us in need," said Michelle Flynn of The Road Home.
"We can always use socks," said Ed Snoddy of Volunteers of America.
And if you do donate, it helps guys like Steve Kyle.
He's got blankets, socks, and a bed at the shelter, and thankful for it.
Steven Kyle, Road Home Client: "I stand and look out the window and a look at all the people out there and I know it's gotta be cold. I couldn't even imagine what it's like out there."
The Road Home is gearing up for even more folks tonight since the temperature will again be down in the single digits.
