MINNESOTA, USA — At Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities emergency men's shelter in St. Paul, staff members usually say hope begins with a meal. During cold snaps, the organization's Director of Community Relations Sarah Peterka said hope begins "with a warm space to be in, and so we want to be that warm space for folks in need."
According to Peterka, the 24-hour shelter and recovery campus is nearly always at capacity. At times, it is overflowing. "A couple weeks ago, we had 30 to 35 gentlemen just staying in our lobby overnight."
Normally, the shelter's chapel has space for 52 men to sleep overnight. With extremely cold weather moving in, Peterka said the shelter had to add more beds. "We have increased our capacity with 40 additional bunk beds, and folks will stay here overnight," she explained.
Across Ramsey County, warming centers provide a place for people to escape the cold from Dec. 11 through March 31.
According to Ramsey County Housing Stability Executive Director Kim Cleminson, the centers first opened in 2022, after county employees heard concerns from community members.
"They are worried about frostbite, they are worried about losing fingers ... and I think that is what kind of prompted us to actually take action on the warming spaces; because we heard that more than once, and that is just a terrible, terrible tragedy," Cleminson said.
In Minneapolis, the Salvation Army normally provides roughly 300 to 400 beds at its Harbor Light Center. When freezing temperatures roll in, Capt. Josh Polcano said the shelter accommodates 40 additional beds.
"These weathers in Minnesota can get brutally cold, and so on days where we have these Arctic blast type of winds, we want to make sure that people know that they have options," Polcano said. "It doesn't get more basic than a shelter or a roof over your head, especially when the weather is the way it is right now ... I don't take for granted the roof that I have over my head or my children, and so I want the same for every human being that's out there. They deserve it."
On Thursday evening, people gathered at Plymouth Congregational Church for a silent march and vigil honoring the memories of people who've died while experiencing homelessness, people who previously experienced homelessness or people who were advocates on their behalf.
Those attending the 40th annual Homeless Memorial March carried signs showcasing the names and ages of people who've passed away across Minnesota.
There are resources available across the Twin Cities for people seeking shelter and warmth:
Hennepin County - Daytime Options
Catholic Charities Opportunity Center: 740 East 17th St., Minneapolis - 612-204-8300
Grab some food, a warm shower, do some laundry and connect with internet.
Hope Avenue Twin Cities: 1229 Logan Ave., Minneapolis - 612-709-0326
Guests can grab a meal, utilize the clothing closet, get a haircut or take a warm shower. There is also support from Alcoholics Anonymous on site.
Hennepin County Library locations: Listed here - 612-543-5669
Drop in and warm up during daily operating hours.
Minneapolis Central Library: 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis - 612-543-8000
Heated space and limited computer access during normal operating hours.
Hennepin County Government Center: 300 South 6th St., Minneapolis - 612-348-3000
Warm spaces.
MoveFwd Drop-in (ages 15-24): 1001 Highway 7, Room 237, Hopkins - 952-988-8336
Warm spaces, housing assistance, food and hygiene products, employment search, help in getting a social security card, state ID, birth certificate, and more.
Oasis for Youth Drop-In (ages 16-24): 2200 West Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington - 952-512-2061
Warm space, free clothes closet and hygiene/personal care products, food resources, laundry and showers, computer lab and internet access, job-search assistance, and educational support, transportation assistance, referrals to shelter and housing programs including the Suburban Host Home Program, rental assistance.
Peace House Community: 1816 Portland Ave., Minneapolis - 612-870-7263
Warm space, hot lunch.
Steps of Strategy: 1803 Bryant Ave. N Minneapolis - 612 431 4354
Warm space, lunch and dinner, peer support, case management, housing stabilization services, laundry, showers and clothing closet.
Youthlink (ages 16-24): 41 North 12th Street, Minneapolis - 612-252-1200
Hennepin County - Night Time options
American Indian Community Development Center - KOLA: 1600 East 19th St., Minneapolis
Fifty spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with meals, showers and hygiene supplies.
Rescue Now Services: 97 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis - For bed reservations, call Hennepin Shelter Hotline at 612-204-8200
Dinner and breakfast provided, as well as showers, hygiene supplies, bus tokens.
Ramsey County
Holy Christian Church: 125 Stevens St. W., St. Paul
Warming spot, food, clothing and outdoor gear - Women only
Saint Paul-Reformation Lutheran: 100 N. Oxford St., St. Paul
Warming spot, food, clothing and outdoor gear - Families and youth age 18-24
Phalen Activity Center: 1530 Phalen Dr., St. Paul
Warming spot, food, clothing and outdoor gear - Single adult males only
Newell Park Building: 900 Fairview Ave. N., St. Paul
Warming spot, food, clothing and outdoor gear - Single adult males only
On Sunday, Dec. 15, a Winter Warming Space for families and youth up to age 24 will open:
St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church: 100 Oxford St. N.
Ramsey County provides free rides to warming centers during frigid weather conditions. Pick-up spots include Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, St. Paul Opportunity Center, Dorothy Day Center and the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center.
Salvation Army Locations
Salvation Army locations will serve as daytime warming spaces during regular business hours when wind chills are expected to fall near or below zero through at least Thursday.
Here are those locations.
Brooklyn Park Salvation Army, 10011 Noble Parkway, (763) 425-0517
Maplewood Salvation Army, 2080 Woodlynn Ave., (651) 779-9177
North Minneapolis Salvation Army, 2024 Lyndale Ave. N., (612) 522-4871
Northeast Minneapolis Salvation Army, 2727 Central Ave. NE, (612) 789-2858
South Minneapolis Salvation Army, 1604 E. Lake St., (612) 721-1513
St. Paul Eastside Salvation Army, 1019 Payne Ave., (651) 776-8169
St. Paul West 7th Salvation Army, 401 W. 7th St., (651) 224-4316
The Salvation Army Harbor Lights emergency shelter will make an additional 40 beds available Wednesday through Friday (Dec. 11-13) as part of its "arctic overflow" program.
As winter progresses, extra beds will be made available every night beginning on Jan. 1, through Feb. 28. Those seeking emergency overnight shelter should contact Adult Shelter Connect at 612-248-2350 for availability.