MACON, Ga. — As Central Georgia prepares for bitter cold Tuesday and Wednesday nights, homeless shelters in Macon are getting ready too.
Many of them are standing by with increased capacity to make sure everyone stays warm. Sister Theresa Sullivan with Daybreak says work for the homeless coalition has picked up the last couple of weeks.
They're trying to make sure everyone has a safe place to lay down starting Tuesday night.
That's when Brookdale Resource Center, Hello House at Brookdale and the Salvation Army will all open their doors with increased capacity.
Brookdale will open at 9 a.m. for individuals and families Tuesday. Salvation Army will also open at 9 a.m. for veterans.
Most check-ins start at 4 p.m. at Hello House and Salvation Army.
Sullivan says some people might feel like they'll be OK when they go to sleep, but the temperatures really drop in the early morning.
"It's around 3 in the morning, 4 in the morning. And when somebody is knocked out and sound asleep, they may have been fine at midnight with all those extra blankets they have on. But when it gets down to those temperatures," she said.
If you're planning to get to a shelter, or planning to help someone else get to a shelter this week, Sullivan says you should aim to get there before 6 p.m. She suggests you call the shelter before you go to make sure they have room.
Sullivan says Daybreak is a day-only shelter, so she's focused on educating people about the cold. She's passing out hats, hand warmers and gloves to people who need it.
Contact a shelter:
Brookdale Resource Center:
Intake for individuals and families 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
3600 Brookdale Ave
478-292-5123
Hello House @ Brookdale
Intake for individuals and families 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
3600 Brookdale Ave
478-292-5123
*Brookdale Resource Center Supplies needed: masks, sanitizing wipes, Lysol spray, Odoban, or bleach.
Salvation Army: Shelter and Warming Center
Family intake 4:00 p.m.
Veteran intake 9:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. M-Th
1955 Broadway
478-746-8572
Salvation Army Warming Station Activated for individuals.
Female intake 4:30 p.m.
Male intake 6:00 p.m.
*Salvation Army Supply Needs: water, masks, Lysol spray.