The rains have come and gone and come again on the Central Coast. And for area homeless, that means wet and cold nights with only limited relief in sight.
As of Jan. 5, Community Action Partnership SLO (CAPSLO)’s emergency warming shelter had already been open for 14 nights since November.
By comparison, in the 2015/16 season the emergency shelter was open a total of 18 nights.
As of press time the program has an immediate need for donations and volunteers to cope with a lengthened winter season in previously drought stricken California.
Between Nov. 1 and Jan. 3, the Warming Center, which is located at the Prado Day Center had already been open 14 days, said Grace McIntosh, CAPSLO’s deputy director. “Last year, we were open a total of 18 days between November and April.”
The Warming Center is staged seasonally at 43 Prado Rd., the normal address for CAPSLO’s day center operated for the homeless. During cold or rainy conditions the operation opens as an emergency overnight shelter.
Check-in starts at 4:45 p.m., however, those needing shelter can arrive at any time during the night.
Pets are allowed too, with a dry place to sleep and a hot meal provided.
“While we are always grateful to receive much needed rain and for being able to provide a warm, dry place for people to stay, opening the Warming Center requires the mobilization of staff and volunteers, and making sure we have new sleeping bags and other needed supplies,” CAPLSO CEO Biz Steinberg said.
The short list includes: sleeping bags and large backpacks; disposable plates, bowls, cups and utensils; coffee, tea, creamer, and sugar; new socks and warm gloves; and of course rain gear, ponchos and umbrellas.
CAPSLO Central Admin staff member, Rodolfo Soriano and CEO Biz Steinberg, serve breakfast at the recent Prado Day Center Annual Holiday Party. Photo courtesy Katie Ferber
