‘Really a lifeline’: Bend’s warming shelter prepares for winter storm
(Update: Adding video, comments)
Fully or nearly full since opening; seeks blankets, hand warmers, ice melt
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As Central Oregon prepares for a few days of snow and bitter cold, Bend's official warming shelter expects to be at full capacity -- as it has been for much of the winter.
Bend's warming shelter has a capacity of about 70 people, a number that Dave Notari, director of development with Shepherd's House Ministries, says the shelter has been at since it opened in late November.
“This shelter is really a lifeline, in the true sense of the word," Notari said. "It’s a life-and-death matter for people who have to brave the elements.”
Right now, Shepherd's House Ministries' warming shelter is one of the only warming shelters in Bend. The Bethlehem Inn has not able to offer its warming shelter services this winter because of COVID-19.
“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure no one gets turned away,” Notari told NewsChannel 21 on Wednesday.
The warming shelter operates during the coldest times of the day, from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Notari said those hours could change, if the snow gets really bad.
If you would like to help out, the warming shelter still needs blankets, hand warmers and ice melt, which you can drop off at the shelter at 275 NE Second Street.
No one mentions anything about people being turned away because they are forcing people to use KN-95 masks even if they have their own personal masks that are a better quality such as the standard N-95. Many KN-95 masks are fraudulent or ineffective due to their design. If you complain, you get the boot. Nevermind that you are forcing people to use a lesser quality defective product, putting their health at risk in a high risk situation. The most vulnerable people, being disabled and homeless, shouldn’t be forced into second rate protective gear for the convenience of the organization.
And how did you know this? Did you try and get in?
Perhaps he knows the general the older guy in a wheelchair but that guy refuses to stop drinking and thats why he is out in the cold. Hope he had some common sense last night to get in somewhere. drinking probably gives him comfort but when your life is at risk but yeah i know i dont understand addiction.