The numbers of people seeking emergency winter shelter have “significantly increased” since extreme weather hit last week, and the City of Lawrence announced Tuesday plans for a third overflow shelter to open.
The Lawrence Community Shelter, 3655 E. 25th St., has seen up to 165 overnight guests amid extreme cold, heavy snow and dangerous wind chills. LCS’s capacity is 140, and overflow shelters have been needed.
The third overflow shelter will be at the University Community of Christ, 1900 University Drive. That’s just north of Bob Billings Parkway and Iowa Street. No referrals will be needed, and the shelter will accept walk-ins, according to an announcement from the city.
UCC will be open for shelter from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. when additional overflow is needed, according to the release. It can accommodate up to 25 people, and it is opening Tuesday night, according to the release.
Get warm
If you or someone you know needs help to find indoor shelter or get transportation, contact city staff members Misty Bosch-Hastings at 785-760-1481 or Cicely Thornton at 785-813-9483.
See the city’s new website, lawrenceks.org/safe-shelter, for more information.
The city has opened the Amtrak station/Santa Fe Depot in East Lawrence, which can serve up to 40 people per night. It is open to walk-ins.
First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont St., is taking referrals from LCS for up to 25 people per night, and it has been full every night since it opened, according to Misty Bosch-Hastings, homeless programs coordinator for the City of Lawrence.
All the shelter sites need volunteer help. Those interested in volunteering at one of the shelter locations can sign up for a shift via the following links:
• Santa Fe Depot
• University Community of Christ
• Lawrence Community Shelter
• First United Methodist Church
The city will hold volunteer training at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16 at University Community of Christ. No signup is needed to attend the training.
The Lawrence Community Shelter is currently the only option that can shelter pets with their owners overnight, but there are other options to keep pets safe. Read more at this link.
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