Homeless centers filling to capacity

Cold weather brings hundreds in doors

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the weather potentially dips into the teens Monday night, homeless shelters are at capacity trying to help all the people get out of the cold.

The crowd for chapel at Trinity Rescue mission Monday night was arguably as big as a popular church on a Sunday morning. Homeless people packed into the building for a warm place to sleep. 

Rodney York is one of about 180 who will be in Trinity Rescue, which like every other shelter in town will not turn anyone away Monday night. 

"So you're not out there suffering from hypothermia," said York. We'd die out there in a heartbeat."

Across town at the Sulzbacher center, they're opening their overflow shelter in the library and feeding everyone they can - particularly with oranges. They received a large donation because the freeze would have killed the crop.

Allison Vega with the Sulzbacher Center says it's fortunate, especially on nights below freezing, that the shelters won't turn anyone away. 

"If they didn't have our center, people wouldn't have anywhere to go," said Vega. "When it's 40 (degrees) it's one thing, but when it gets down to 18 (degrees) it's extreme for any family."


About the Author:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.