THE SALVATION ARMY ACTIVATES ITS

EMERGENCY COLD WEATHER SHELTER

The ECWS has already assisted a near record number of individuals this winter

Springfield, MO (January 31, 2013) - Anyone who needs shelter from the extremely cold temperatures is urged to come to The Salvation Army's Emergency Cold Weather Shelter, located at 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway.

The Emergency Cold Weather Shelter is on track to assist a record number of individuals this winter. So far, 168 individuals - including men, women and families with children - have sought shelter at The Salvation Army's ECWS during the 16 days it has been open.

"We are on track to help a record number of people this year," Jeff Smith, Social Services Director said. "This is already the second highest winter in terms of the number of people who have needed to stay in our cold weather shelter."

Last year, The Salvation Army's Emergency Cold Weather Shelter assisted 95 different individuals during the 12 days it was open. During the 2010-2011 winter season, 195 different individuals sought shelter at The Salvation Army's Emergency Cold Weather Shelter, which is the current record.

The Salvation Army activates its Emergency Cold Weather Shelter when the National Weather Service forecasts a wind chill of at least 14 degrees or when there appears to be a significant need in the community for the emergency shelter to be activated.

"For most, our Emergency Cold Weather Shelter is their only option," Major Norman Grainger, Ozark Area Coordinator said. "If these individuals weren't able to seek shelter here they would most likely not have any shelter at all, which could be very dangerous."

ECWS clients are provided with a cot to sleep on during the night, a hot breakfast in the morning, access to shower facilities and assistance with general social services.

The Emergency Cold Weather Shelter is just one of The Salvation Army's many local shelter and housing programs. Every single night, The Salvation Army provides shelter or housing for an average of 70 individuals through programs such as the Family Enrichment Center, New Start Housing, and Harbor House.

For more information about The Salvation Army or its shelter and housing programs please call (417) 862-5509 or visit www.usc.salvationarmy.org/springfield-mo

To support The Salvation Army Ozark Area Coordination by making a monetary donation please mail checks to: The Salvation Army P.O. Box 9685 Springfield MO 65801-9685, or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.

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