Cold Weather and Caring for the Homeless

If you live in Northeast Ohio, you know how cold it is walking from the door to your car in January. I remember one woman saying “this cold has a bite to it.” When the wind blows that sub-freezing air on you, it takes your breath away.

The truth is that while many of us have felt the cold in short walks or while waiting for the bus as kids, most of us have not been exposed to prolonged exposure to cold weather. As you know, the homeless face this cold reality daily throughout the long winter months in Akron, OH and beyond.

For this reason, homeless care takes on new challenges in the winter. Food and clothing are still essential, but so is assistance finding shelter.

The National Coalition for the Homeless produced this infographic, highlighting the dangers of hypothermia for the homeless population.

Shelters are a big help this time of year, but space is always limited. With economic crises and decreased employment, this could be a particularly busy year for shelters.

So, what can you do to help?

• Learn: Check out this article from the National Coalition for the Homeless.

• Volunteer: We can always use help doing the work. Click here to volunteer.

• Pray: It really works. God cares about the homeless, and He hears the prayers of His children. Pray for us and for the people we care for.

• Donate: In addition to helping us buy food and run the ministry, we have a long-term goal of developing Hope Farm to provide housing and employment to the people we care for. Click here to give.

Thanks again for all of your support! We couldn’t do this work without you!