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Tim Nelson and Jon Collins
St. Paul, Minn.

Charities, shelters struggle to aid needy as temperatures plunge

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Updated 2:15 p.m. | Posted 10:07 a.m.

Charities and homeless services are stretching their limits to help the homeless this week as bone-chilling cold grips Minnesota.

The Salvation Army is opening its service and worship centers during the day in nine locations around the Twin Cities. Normally, the shelters close during the day. It's also offering daytime meals at four of its locations, including two each in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Warm clothes are also welcome. The Salvation Army is looking specifically for coats in sizes 3X and larger as well as hats, gloves, socks and blankets.

"They can certainly be new or gently used. If people have things like that that they can donate, those are very much in need," said spokeswoman Julie Borgen.

The St. Paul school district is also seeking warm clothes for what it says are 2,000 homeless kids served by public schools. Donations may be delivered to 1021 Marion St. in St. Paul through the end of the week.

"They are pretty desperate for warm, winter attire for these students," said Judy Hawkinson with the St. Paul Schools Foundation. "That includes warm jackets, hats, boots, scarves, for these kids to wear to school."

At St. Stephen's Human Services in Minneapolis, advocates are working with police and downtown security officers to reach those who typically refuse shelter, said Gail Dorfman the group's executive director.

St. Stephen's is filling its shelter beyond capacity to keep people out of the cold, and bringing services inside.

"At our main shelter, our capacity is 45 and it was 51 last night," Dorfman said. "Our emergency shelter at River of Life Church was full and over capacity as well."