Since 2019, The Golden Triangle Regional Homeless Coalition has provided shelter when the winter weather is at its worst.
Homeless people or those without adequate heating in their homes could find a warm place to stay at the GTRHC’s warming center at the Scout Hut at the Hitching Lot Farmers Market.
While the dangers of exposure to severe cold weather are well-known, Mississippi summers can be equally hazardous.
To address that need, the GTRHC, in conjunction with the city of Columbus and Loaves and Fishes, will open a cooling center at the old American Legion building at Propst Park. The center will be open Thursday through Sunday, GTRHC co-president Susan Garton said, and continue to open on an as-needed basis when temperatures reach the mid-90s.
“We believe this addresses a real need,” Garton said. “We’ve had the warming center since 2019 and we realized that there was a need for a shelter in the summer, too. We went in a little different direction with the cooling center, working with the city to set up a place where people can go during heat waves.”
Columbus Director for Community Outreach Glenda Richardson said the cooling center will provide a cost-efficient, safe environment for those in need.
“Just like we’ve done in the winter, we’ve been putting people in hotel rooms when the weather has been extremely hot,” Richardson said. “Having this center will save us a lot of money and, I think, allow us to help more people. There’s definitely a need for something like this.”
GTRHC volunteers will staff the shelter, which opens at 4 p.m. Thursday and will remain open until 8 a.m. Sunday. Loaves and Fishes will provide meals.
Richardson said donations of bottled water or sports drinks are needed. To donate, call Richardson at 662-244-3525 or the GTRHC at (662) 549-2643.
“I am pleased that the city can work closely with the GTR Homeless Coalition to help meet the needs of our homeless citizens during this time of dangerous temperatures during the summer months by providing a cooling station,” Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin said. “I’m proud Columbus cares so deeply about those in need.”
Gaskin noted that COVID-19 precautions, including social distancing, will be implemented at the center, but Richardson said the building is large enough to accommodate those who need shelter despite the restrictions.
“Even with the COVID rules, we’ll be able to have up to 50 people there,” Richardson said.
Garton said the cooling center will open as the hottest weather of the year arrives.
“Up until this week, we (had only) gotten to about 92 degrees, but it’s going to be much hotter going into the weekend,” Garton said.
High temperatures Thursday through Saturday will be in the high 90s, with the heat index in well into the 100s until Sunday, when the temperature is expected to fall to 90 degrees.
“That’s dangerously hot weather for people who don’t have access to air-conditioning,” Garton said.
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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