Stewpot Community Services, a non-profit organization in Jackson, has two outreach workers driving around on ice covered roads, in below freezing temperatures, looking for people who need shelter. Executive Director Jill Buckley says they want to provide a place to stay for those who’ll accept it.
“The outreach workers know people by name, they know where they hang out, they know their story. And part of what’s been happening over the past several days is just an exchange of information about exactly who is out there, who's sheltered and can you check on this person. And what did this person say?” said Buckley.
Buckley says they can provide beds for about 70 men, women and children to stay overnight. She says they are partnering with other non-profits to provide additional beds and meals.
“Between our shelter groups we know that we have gotten 200 people just in the Jackson area into shelter, whether that be an emergency shelter like Stewpot has or into a hotel room,” said Buckley.
Kenney Washington in Biloxi, is director of client services with Back Bay Mission. He says there are no shelters operating on a regular basis in the area. He says they have a day center where people can stay until 4 p.m. But they partnered with organizations to provide shelter for the cold nights.
“Monday and Tuesday night we actually teamed up with a local Extended Stay Hotel and we placed 20 clients in a hotel because of a limited sheltering space,” said Washington.
Cold weather shelters and warming stations are open across the state for the homeless and those who don’t have heat in their homes. MEMA has a list of locations on its website: https://www.msema.org/news/shelters-safe-rooms-for-winter-weather-event/
