MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Catholic Charities Grace Warming Shelter has had about 25 residents in recent days as the bitter cold temperatures briefly move out of the area.
On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” Director Dr. Jessica Thompson said they have yet to hit capacity since the shelter was expanded to 30 with approval from the Morgantown Fire Marshal.
“We haven’t turned anyone away, and our highest total to date has been 25,” Thompson said.
The census changes from night to night, according to Thompson. But the facility has been open since December 11 from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. seven days each week.
“The past few days we’ve had the 25 individuals,” Thompson said. “Not the same individuals, but that is the maximum amount we’ve had in the last two nights.”
Her behavior hasn’t been an issue as in past warming operations in the community. She said their calls have been medical-related, and they are all handled by Monongalia EMS.
“Other than the normal types of medical calls, everything has been going pretty well,” Thompson said.
Thompson represents one of many organizations at Hazel’s House of Hope and doesn’t completely use numbers, but based on the activity of the Salvation Army, she believes more people are using the Scott Avenue facility than prior to the opening of the shelter.
“I can tell you the Salvation Army’s meals have gone up to about 150 a day compared to their normal 80,” Thompson said.
She said some of the 25 people that have come through the facility have used the “one-stop shop” concept to take advantage of other services while at the warming shelter.
“We have some people in the warming shelter waiting for treatment facilities, and the other agencies are helping with that,” Thompson said. “With the Salvation Army providing two meals a day Monday through Saturday and one on Sunday, they get that too.”
The shelter is funded jointly by the city and county at $40,000 each and is required to give preference to local residents. From the opening date on December 11 to December 31, the shelter served a total of 34 people. More than half refused to provide their last residence, eight were from other West Virginia cities, and four others said they were from out of state.