November 29, 2021 – With temperatures consistently falling below 35 degrees, The Salvation Army has opened its Cold Cot program for those in need.
This program adds additional cots to the Men’s Shelter at the Salvation Army to save lives getting people out of the life-threatening cold temperatures. It gives additional support as those in need check in at 5 pm in the evening and are offered supper and a hot shower. The men sleep overnight and leave after breakfast the following day.
The Cold Cots Program typically opens when the temperature is below 35 degrees for several days in a row and then stays open through the winter months until early Spring when the temperature is above 35 degrees for several days in a row. This program typically opens in November and has stayed open through March and even into April.
In the past, the cold cots program has housed 100 different men who spend the night over the winter months. Each man is invited to participate in their Shelter assistance that helps address individual challenges and help move the men to a life of self-sufficiency. Several of these men join in with the Shelter Program and many of them have found the support they need to move to self-sufficiency. It began with a warm safe night’s sleep.
Nearly 30 beds were given by the Red Cross so that The Salvation Army is able to accommodate needs past their 30 regular Shelter beds. The Cold Cots are saving lives one night at a time.
