Outreach workers rush to supply homeless with winter essentials before North Texas storm
NORTH TEXAS — The cold temperatures and possible snow on the way will be challenging for everyone, but those without homes will face those challenges head-on.
Outreach workers in Fort Worth are trying to get those experiencing homelessness blankets, hats, and socks and get them into shelters and off the streets.
"It feels like wet, chill-you-to-the-bone, make-you-shiver-down-to-your-toes cold," said Ronald Northern.
Northern has been homeless off and on since 2012. So this isn't his first winter outside, but he's worried about the upcoming storm.
"This next coming cold snap, I don't know. Just don't know anymore," he said.
Today, he's getting some supplies from outreach workers like Nubia Herrara.
"Hand warmers, gloves, anything to help protect them from the coming bad weather," said Herrara, who works for DRC Solutions in Fort Worth.
They're also trying to get them into shelters, but it's not everyone's first choice even with the cold.
Ronald isn't as worried about possible snow as he is about the wind and cold temperatures.
"You can't deal with things right because your extremities are just numb and tingly. Your toes, you can't walk right. It's hell sometimes, but what can you do?" said Northern.
It can be taxing for workers like Herrara who are trying to get these people what they need.
"Just having to leave here at the end of the day knowing that our clients don't have a home and have to deal with these really bad conditions," she said. "It's one of those things that is really hard to see."
Because of the cold temperatures, overflow cold weather shelters are open at Union Gospel Mission, Presbyterian Night Shelter, and the Salvation Army Mabee Center in Fort Worth.