As the temperatures plummet outside, Central Georgia's homeless are trying to stay warm. The Salvation Army reached its full capacity with almost 200 beds full Wednesday evening so the Red Cross stepped in.
Six-year-old Caden Hove will be spending the night here with his mom and sister.
"We're just staying here tonight so we don't have to sleep in the cold car," says Caden.
Originally from Washington state, the Hove family headed south to Georgia for a job, but that opportunity fell through.
"We've been staying in a tent trailer and it was a little too cold to stay out there tonight in the wind and the rain," explains Holliah Hove.
"Usually we'd sleep in the trailer, but when it gets really, really cold, we sleep in the front of the car, and it's not all that comfortable," says her daughter Ryanne Hove.
They headed to the Salvation Army, but it was full, so the Red Cross brought them to the Memorial Recreation Gym off of Long Street.
"They're given a cot, a couple of blankets, a comfort kit - it's got a toothbrush, dry socks, ear plugs, a sleep mask because sometimes it's difficult to sleep in a shelter," says Donna Lee, Disaster Program Manager for Central Georgia's American Red Cross.
There's also a nurse on staff.
"The food is really nice, and it's kind of surprising how many different places have donated," says Ryanne.
Local restaurants like Fresh Air Barbecue, Meldino's Pizza, Krispy Kreme, and McDonald's gave food for those staying at the shelter overnight.
Lee says the number of people who need shelter is growing.
"Outside is really cold, but in here it's warmer," says Caden.
Hove says she likes Macon and says if she can find a job, they hope to stay. She didn't think it would be this cold in Georgia, though. Back at home in Washington state, it was around 50 degrees Wednesday.
