Groups look out for homeless amid chill

Organizations that help the homeless and at-risk population are being stretched thin as a prolonged cold snap with the potential for single-digit wind chill temperatures sets in.

“Prior to the cold snap, we were averaging 100 people a night,” said Jennifer Laurent, Randy Sams’ Outreach Shelter executive director. “Right now we have 130 and holding. I anticipate more will come in this evening (Monday). That’s stretching our resources. More people means more food and supplies are needed. It also means we’ll use additional water, electric and gas as well.”

“This kind of weather is extremely difficult for the clients. It’s cold and they’re concerned about their well-being. It brings in additional people so it’s more crowded and tempers get a bit more frayed,” Laurent said.

Donations of gloves, sugar, milk, paper plates, plastic utensils, Styrofoam cups and financial donations are needed at the shelter.

Mission Texarkana Inc. also serves the homeless population by providing breakfast and lunch and other resources. Because of the cold weather there are some specific items needed so they can best serve their clients.

“Our people are pretty resilient and resourceful,” said Cody Howard, executive director of Mission Texarkana. “They just have to have resources. (Sterno Candle Lamp) of Texarkana has been supplying us with canned heat. … We have plenty of that. We need handwarmers, gloves, tarps, rope—anything that will shield them from the wind or keep the precipitation off their tents.”

Howard said he will be visiting homeless camps Monday night and tonight to make sure individuals have the things they need to stick out the cold spell.

“We have many who won’t stay at the shelter and they don’t have a home. The street is their home,” Howard said. “I just go where they are and find out what their needs are specifically at the moment and I try to fill those.”

Officials at Randy Sams’ said they will make room for anyone who needs a place to stay.

“We’re glad we’re able to bring extra people in. Nobody should have to be outside in this if they don’t want,” Laurent said. “We never require an ID to get in and people can check in around the clock, seven days a week with us.”

Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mission Texarkana, 620 W. Fourth St., Texarkana, Texas, or around the clock at Randy Sams’, 402 Oak St., Texarkana, Texas.