COLUMBIA, S.C. — Below-freezing temperatures over 24 hours can threaten the lives of those without homes. Agencies like COMET Bus System and Transitions are working together to provide warm shelter and hot meals during this cold snap.
Behind Columbia Riverfront Park on Calhoun Street, the rapid overflow shelter provides warmth for hundreds. It will remain open through the weekend and as long as temperatures stay below 40 degrees.
Seeking this shelter away from the cold has been the mission for several unhoused people in Columbia.
"We've been extremely crowded today because, as many of the businesses closed and it's miserable outside, folks seek shelter in our day center." Craig Currey, the president of Transitions, said.
Currey said he's seen around 400 people enter his center's doors, double their daily foot traffic.
The center also opened dorms earlier than usual, in the late morning, instead of 5 p.m., because of the cold.
In addition, from 2 to 4 p.m., the COMET Bus System provided rides to the city's rapid overflow shelter, which typically opens at 5 p.m.
"We had 144 folks there last night. Residents, guests who came in for the evening tonight will probably be higher than that number and every day that it stays cold, it might inch up more and more," Currey said.
At the shelter, people can take a hot shower and have a warm place to stay with clean sheets. Dr. Aditi Bussells is the chair of the Task Force to Prevent and End Homelessness in Columbia.
She said getting people centrally located services quickly on days like Friday is essential.
"It is vitally important for us to have options for people of all different backgrounds. We are very grateful for our partners at Transitions, and Oliver Gospel, and a lot of these shelters that are for families or youth in transition, like Mercy, for example," Bussells said.
"As people are out in this cold, and your health's not great to begin with, for many of them, you can die," Currey said.
If you see someone who needs help in the cold, call the rapid overflow shelter at 803-545-3476.
The City of Columbia and Transitions said they're providing a hot meal at dinnertime and a continental breakfast in the morning.
The president of Transitions said they're making arrangements to have the rapid overflow shelter stay open for the next week or so.