Shelters Keep Doors Open for Homeless

In the midst of a bone-chilling cold spell, two San Diego County emergency shelters kept their doors open Saturday night to provide warmth and hot meals for the homeless.

“The word is out on the streets, and already we’re seeing a lot more new faces,” said Shirley Cole, director of Lifelines Community Services. The Vista-based, nonprofit social service agency has been contracted by the county to supervise emergency shelters during nights with extremely cold temperatures.

Under a policy approved in 1987 by the County Board of Supervisors, emergency shelters are to open whenever the overnight temperature is forecast to be 35 degrees or lower; or 40 degrees with rain.

According to the National Weather Service, overnight temperatures in Escondido dropped to 36 degrees Friday night, said forecaster Harvey Hastrup. Coastal temperatures hovered just below 40 degrees and the temperature in San Diego was 45. Temperatures were expected to range between 46 and 51 degrees along the coast Saturday night and between 30 and 37 degrees for the inland areas.

“We’re expecting about 75 people tonight,” Cole said Saturday.

On Friday, when the shelters were first opened, Cole said 33 people spent the night at the Salvation Army, at 11th and Redwood streets. The other shelter, the East County Regional Center, in El Cajon is at 250 E. Main St.

Volunteers and staff members provided visitors with hot dinners and breakfasts, Cole said.

In addition, donated goods, such as clothing and toiletries, were distributed to the people who stayed at the shelter, Cole said.

A public nurse and a county mental health worker were also at the Salvation Army to assist those who needed medical assistance. Because warmer weather is expected in the upcoming days, Cole said the emergency shelters will not be opened.

The three-day cold spell should subside today with forecasted sunshine and temperatures between 66 and 71 degrees along the coast, Hastrup said. He said inland temperatures should range between 68 and 74 degrees.