MINNEAPOLIS — Homeless outreach teams said the population they are trying to help is struggling with the early cold.
Life Center served some of them at their annual Thanksgiving Outreach event, where they gave out warm meals, free turkeys, and held a service.
“I think there's we're seeing homeless shelters maxing out at capacity,” said Chloe Guild, who leads the church’s outreach team. “Because it got so cold so fast.”
Guild said individuals have told her they are seeking shelter on the light rail and bus shelters.
Mary Jo Bellanger used to be homeless when she was a teenager.
“It was cold,” she said. “It was, and I was struggling.”
Bellanger said that Life Center helped get her and her family off the street years ago.
"I do have family members that are out there right now,” she said. “I check on them daily, to give them gloves and stuff to date food."
On Friday, volunteers went out to check on folks sleeping in the cold.
Emily Schlimmer was among those who talked to people dealing with homelessness Friday night.
“A lot of them what they really need is gloves and hats and scarves,” said Schlimmer. “It was really cold and they mostly just wanted to come and get the food.”
“We had two big tents run by generators,” said Alison Goings.
Goings was homeless for two years.
“The generators were the only thing that kept the lights and the heat going,” said Goings.
She said she still has friends spending their days outside.
“They're out there dealing with the weather and the snow,” said Goings.
She's thankful to be out of it, but others have to seek warmth.
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