Freezing temperatures have forced people indoors to flee the cold and caused shortages of blankets at area emergency shelters, officials said Monday.
“Once it started getting colder, we knew we were in for a long haul,” said Charlie Hughes, executive director for the Chattanooga Community Kitchen.
More than 100 people stayed in the Community Kitchen on Sunday night as it opened as an emergency shelter, Mr. Hughes said. The number of people flooding the center caused a shortage of blankets, he said, and the Community Kitchen is looking for donations of blankets.
“Anything we can use,” he said. “We’re not looking for style, we’re not looking for comfort, we’re looking to keep people warm.”
The relentless cold is expected to remain throughout the week and into next week, said David Glenn, meteorologist for WTVC NewsChannel 9. The temperature tonight is expected to be in the mid-teens, he said, and by the end of the week, the temperature could drop to 10 degrees.
“This is a really strong Arctic mass,” he said.
HOW TO HELPFor those wishing to provide blankets to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, contact Charlie Hughes at 756-4222 or visit the facility at 727 E. 11th St.HEATING THE HOME SAFELYThe American Red Cross offers some tips for heating your home as temperatures drop.* Keep any materials that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.* Place portable heaters on hard, level, nonflammable surfaces.* Never use the stove or oven to heat the home.* Never leave portable heaters, wood-burning stoves or fireplaces unattended.* Keep the fire in the fireplace by using a glass or metal screen.Source: American Red Cross
Snow showers also are a possibility Thursday, he said.
The cold has been relentless, not going above 32 since 7 p.m. Friday, he said.
Jonathan Peel, a volunteer and client for the Community Kitchen, said Monday he had to get out of the cold after living homeless off and on for almost 21/2 years, he said. He normally lives in a tent in a camp, he said, but the freezing temperatures drove him inside, he said.
“I’ll stay here all week long,” he said. “It’s too cold to go to my camp.”
The Community Kitchen has opened both its dining and day room areas for people to sleep in. On Monday afternoon, mattresses were piled in the two rooms as the center opened its doors just at dusk for those seeking refuge.
“It can get a little tight,” said Adam Jones, a volunteer who also is staying at the center.
He came to the Community Kitchen after finding out the Chattanooga Rescue Mission was full, he said. Thankful for a roof over his head, he said, he would spend the next few nights reading his Bible and praying.