While there was an uptick in the number of people seeking help at Fellowship Missions, 1520 Winona Ave., Warsaw, during the extreme cold in the last week of January, a spokesperson said the homeless shelter has been operating at or near capacity all winter long.

Melissa Demopoulos, community relations director for Fellowship Missions, said the shelter has a winter contingency plan in place to ensure services are available when lives are on the line.

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“While we did see an increase in individuals seeking shelter during the extreme cold, we have been over 100 percent capacity since the temperatures first dropped below freezing,” Demopoulos said. “For example, on Thursday we had nine additional people on cots, beyond our 46-bed capacity.

“Many of the individuals who are currently in a regular bed came to us during winter contingency and have transitioned over as beds opened up. One resident was transported here when another nearby shelter that was full. On several occasions, he has expressed his gratitude for taking him in and providing a place of respite that feels more like a home than institutionalized care. He has remarked that being treated with dignity and shown the love of God has restored his hope, not only in humanity but in the possibility of a brighter future.

“Of course, we want to connect people with the necessary resources they need to get them back on their feet. However, the greatest impact is always found in treating people with dignity and respect, something many of our residents haven't felt in a long time, if ever.”

Demopoulos said the winter contingency plan runs from Nov. 1 to April 1. The plan calls for cots to be used once beds run out, provided the temperature or wind chill is at or will fall to 32 degrees or below during the night. But those extra “guests” have to leave in the morning.

The key is planning, according to Demopoulos, and having people willing to step up and help when needed.

“We were pretty well prepared when the cold weather struck,” she said. “What we learned was that the community was ready to step up and help in greater ways when the temps dropped dangerously low. The Red Cross let us borrow cots for a week, and we received several calls from individuals, businesses, and churches to see if there was anything they could do to help out.

“It was really encouraging to see the community rally behind us to ensure nobody was in harm's way by being left out in the extreme weather.”

During extreme cold, like the week of Jan. 28-31, the shelter also sees some people who have homes, but there are extenuating circumstances, such as the furnace won’t keep up or they need a hot meal. Sometimes, Fellowship Missions serves as a referral agency for people to find exactly what they need.

“We did receive inquiries from a few individuals who have homes but insufficient means to heat them,” Demopoulos said. “We offered them a place to stay and referred them to other community agencies for assistance.

“During the extreme cold, we were also open to anyone in need of a hot meal, even if they didn't intend to stay at the shelter. Despite our offers, none of the individuals who contacted us came to stay at Fellowship Missions. Our primary concern is always the safety of individuals in such extreme situations, which is why we also referred them to other agencies for help when they refused to come to stay at the shelter.

“The individuals who have taken advantage of winter contingency don't have other options for housing so we are grateful for additional support to help meet their needs.”

And of course, any shelter always has a need for volunteers and donations, whether in cash or specific items.

“We keep an updated needs list online and have a growing list of pantry items that would be helpful. Throughout the winter we serve even more meals because we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to so many additional guests,” Demopoulos said.

“If anyone wanted to help out by providing food from our needs list or foldable cots, those items would be appreciated and put to immediate use.”

In fact, the shelter could not exist without those donations.

“Fellowship Missions is 100 percent community supported. We exist to provide a place of rest and an avenue for life transformation to individuals and families experiencing homelessness,” Demopoulos explained.

“Our concern for people goes well beyond providing food and shelter. That is simply the means by which we can begin to build relationships with the most vulnerable in our community. Our sincere desire is to develop trusting relationships that will be a catalyst for life change.

“We have found this to be the best way to help guests overcome the reasons that led them to become homeless in the first place.”

For more information on the shelter,  visit fellowshipmissions.net or call 574.268.9555.