‘They helped me prepare’ | Macon shelters getting ready ahead of winter season
‘They helped me prepare’ | Macon shelters getting ready ahead of winter season
As winter approaches The Salvation Army is making sure people have a warm place to stay.
MACON, Ga. — Every year the Salvation Army says they prepare for the colder season to make sure the homeless are cared for.
James Willis is getting ready for another winter season with the help of the Salvation Army.
“I was here winter of 2022, and they helped prepare me for you know a lot of things besides helping me get through that winter,” Willis said.
Nearly four years ago, two homeless men froze to death in Macon on Christmas. The Salvation Army says it’s important they make sure they have the capacity and food for the expected influx of homeless individuals.
“They helped me get the clothes, the sufficient attire for the wintertime, they helped me do this because I had none of this,” Willis said.
Latresa White is the Social Services Director at The Salvation Army. She says they are partnering with the United Way of Central Georgia and Macon Bibb County. Together they plan to drive around on cold nights handing out blankets, clothes, and food to those who live on the street.
They’ll also invite people experiencing homelessness to stay in their shelter.
“We go to some of the hot areas where we know that homeless individuals are and we blow the horn and we get out we get out with food we get out with blankets,” White said.
She says they are planning to once again open warming stations when the temperature drops below 42 degrees.
“We invite them to come to one of the shelters here if they’re in need come on into the shelters especially when the temp drops,” White said.
White says they are always accepting donations so they can provide a safer and warmer winter for Macon’s homeless population.