CADILLAC — Love INC. and other community organizations are stepping up to help keep people warm during the day. It comes after the temporary closure of the Cadillac Salvation Army’s Community Center.
The drop in center was forced to temporarily close last Monday for what the Salvation Army said is for the safety and well being of staff and the people they serve. That left Love Inc. to help make sure people survive during this recent cold snap, scrambling to find ways to keep the area’s homeless population warm during the day.
That’s because the Salvation Army’s drop in center was a common place for people to stay warm until the overnight shelters in the area open up in the afternoon.
Love Inc. Executive Director, Rachel Reinink said they have turned their garage into a place for people to stay in the interim.
“We have opened up our garage. It’s not the most ideal situation, but it has been working. So it’s been a fun little adventure that we are on.
Reinink said emergency shelter is critical especially in these extreme temperatures. She said they would love to get out and go look for those without a home but resources are stretched thin.
“We’re really short staffed right now. There’s only three full time staff here and one part time staff, and we’re it’s taking everything we have to just keep this afloat right now,” said Reinink.
She said the unexpected shelter has also impacted their organization in other ways.
“It’s utilizing a lot of energy because our garage is not heated and so we’re using a bunch of electric heaters and electricity. The lights are on all the time in there. We’re purchasing a bunch of snacks day to day,” said Reinink.
Other Cadillac community partners are also making sure people aren’t left in the cold.
Reverend Michael Horlocker of the First Presbyterian Church said they have opened an overnight shelter in years past during cold snaps, for a day or two, but they have been open since the 14th. That’s unusually long.
“It’s not hard to get it organized. You know, it’s just updating a sign up sheet but you can tell when people are getting weary from the length of time that we’ve been doing this,” said Horlocker.
He said it truly takes a village to keep their overnight shelter open. They couldn’t do it without their army of volunteers from their congregation and other churches. They also have local churches making meals and local businesses donating dinners.
“Temple Hill Baptist Church has their shower ministry tomorrow. They are going to come and take our folks for, spend the day with them to give us a little bit of a break,” said Horlocker.
He said the overnight shelter will remain open 24 hours a day through the weekend.
Love INC. said they will continue to keep the shelter open during the day until the Salvation Army is able to open their drop in center back up.
Cadillac’s Salvation Army said their other services will remain open.