LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – With temperatures below freezing this week, the Salvation Army Lubbock is helping people who don’t have a warm place to live. On Wednesday night it deployed its “Cold Patrol” response truck and is ready to dispatch it again on Thursday and Friday if needed.
“Some people who are used to being outside are used to it, but these are dangerously cold temperatures. These are life-threatening temperatures,” said Major David Worthy.
The Salvation Army has set up more cold quotients to accommodate more people to come. Erica Hitt, director of social services, is expecting 50 to 60 people to take shelter from the snow, but they won’t turn anyone away.
“Once we set them up with a cold cot, we provide them with a hot bath, a hot meal, everything to keep them comfortable for the night. And we’ll do it throughout the winter storm,” Hit said.
The “Cold Patrol” unit is deployed for the storm, delivering hot food and drink and things to keep people warm. The main goal is to bring people back to the shelter for a warm place to sleep.
“The key is one, try to get people off the road, bring them to the shelter. But if we can’t, we want to at least get them through the night by giving them things that are going to sustain them through the night,” Worthy said.
Lol says people experiencing chronic homelessness want to try and make it harder. Raymond Kimbrel, who is taking advantage of a cold cot, is urging them not to do so.
“It’s okay to come to the Salvation Army. It’s so cold out there. It sucks to be out on the streets. I’ve been doing this for almost four years since I got out of the Marine Corps. Hey, that’s fine. Just come over and get yours.” Do the work. It’s not like that, don’t be ashamed to come to the Salvation Army, they’re here to help,” Kimbrel said.
The Salvation Army Lubbock needs your help to keep it going. They need donations, including gloves, scarves, hats and beanie, blankets, and hygiene items during cold weather.
“We rely heavily on the community in the form of charity, and this is for cold cot nights. We need blankets, we need gloves, we need hygiene products,” Hit said.
If you would like to donate or if you need assistance, contact the Salvation Army at 806-765-9434 or see them online here,
you can get more information here on their Facebook page,
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