Urgent need for blankets as Bread Shed prepares for freezing nights

One of the region’s only overnight warming centers needs blankets.

As dangerously cold temperatures move in the next several days, Director Chris Kellums said the Bread Shed’s two biggest needs right now are warm blankets — preferably sleeping bags — and any monetary donations people can contribute to help keep the lights on.

Kellums expects to see between a dozen and upwards of 30 people in the overnight shelter as it reopens today at 7 p.m. He has already begun fielding phone calls from neighboring communities who say Poplar Bluff is the closest resource available to them.

“We won’t turn away anyone but we can only sleep 30. That’s all the cots we have,” said Kellums.

After that they will rely on pallets, doing their best for anyone who comes through the doors.

Blanket donations, particularly heavy blankets and sleeping bags, are always needed because those often leave with the people the Bread Shed serves.

“When they leave, they can keep their sleeping bags,” he said.

Those who need the warming center are always given the choice of leaving or taking the blankets they’ve used through the night.

Kellums said the center has about 15 on hand now, which are good blankets but not necessarily heavy ones.

“Usually we have repeat customers. They usually leave them.”

The warming center opens from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. on nights when temperatures drop below 20 degrees.

It was open over the weekend and served about 14 people.

Last winter, the high was 31 people who signed in. They take men, women and families, providing a warm place to sleep, food and security through the overnight hours.

When possible, Kellums said, sometimes other arrangements can be made for families through the Bread Shed’s many partners and supporters.

SMTS typically provides transportation from the warming center to other daytime centers, Kellums said. They are shut down for Tuesday and Wednesday and he is arranging other drivers.

Kellums did not rule out keeping the center open Wednesday if snow made travel too difficult but said that strains the limited volunteer staffing they have.

“We will address that in the morning,” Kellums said. “I have staffing for the night. FCC has supported us for overnight. We (also) have security. If women are staying, I’ll stay all night.

“It’s not staffed 24-7. It’s all volunteers at our place. I’ll be there and I’ll do as much as I can.”

Kellums said he was receiving phone calls up until midnight Monday from surrounding cities as the region tried to find warming centers for displaced or unhoused residents.

Kellums said the center is well stocked with food. It’s provided by many partners in times like this and also on hand from the Bread Shed’s food pantry role.

Monetary donations are the other critical need, he said, anticipating high heating bills as the center stays open for several days.

“Both (heating) units have been pulling hard but that’s okay. The good Lord always provides for us,” Kellums said.

Wind chills are expected to dip below zero Wednesday and Thursday, dropping as low as -7 degrees Thursday before beginning to rebound somewhat, according to the National Weather Service.

Highs are expected to be below freezing Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Lows on Thursday and Friday will be in the single digits.

Kellums shared the Bread Shed has many partners who support the efforts of the warming center. Christway Ministries cleans the building each day after the warming center closes. Haven House has provided supplies, as have other businesses. FCC Behavioral Health supports staffing. Many others are also involved, he said.

He had only one other request.

“Support and prayers for everybody that’s out here in this weather,” Kellums said. “There are going to be some people’s houses that are not going to be able to keep up.”

Kellums said any donations can be dropped off at the Bread Shed, 203 N. D St., starting at 5:30 p.m.

He can also pick up items during the day.

Kellums can be reached at 573-712-6597.