Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 20, 1994 TAG: 9401200053
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But with night temperatures in single digits, Fruell sought a warm bed at the Salvation Army's shelter for men.
"I've been homeless for a long time," the 40-year-old Roanoke man said. "I knew where to come."
Most of them come when the sun fades - when the temperature drops and their bones chill unbearably.
They are transients, victims of economic hardship, alcoholics and drug addicts, families whose homes have lost heat.
Lately, as the mercury has plummeted, their numbers have grown. And they are filling Roanoke-area shelters.
"We are at capacity," said Quill Giles, program manager for Total Action Against Poverty's Transitional Living Center. "A lot of people are in need of quick emergency shelter. We're pretty well stacked up here."
Calls from people seeking shelter have increased from three a day to as many as nine a day since the cold snap, Giles said. The center - which typically operates an up-to-24-month recovery program for displaced people - is at capacity with 63 individuals. About 20 of them are children, he said.
"We could have a whole building just for families," Giles said. "In the old days, you had mostly males looking for help. Now it's families with children."
A frozen-over parking lot and the flu have added to frustrations. Supplies, including medicine, have gone quickly, said Giles, who was on his way to the store to pick up diapers for a family who, until several days ago, was living in their car.
"We'll do whatever it takes - dig in and roll up our sleeves."
Beds at the Salvation Army men's shelter and the Turning Point, a shelter for women and children, have been full every night, said Maj. Linda Delaney of the Salvation Army in Roanoke.
"We've been putting mattresses on the floor," she said. "But we're not to the point where we can't take any more in."
The men's shelter has been close to or at its 51-bed capacity this week, said Fred Brzezowski, shelter manager. The shelter hasn't turned away anyone, even bending its rule prohibiting those who have been drinking.
"We've got extra mattresses just in case," he said, opening the door to a bunk-filled room. Mattresses were stacked against a wall.
The Turning Point, which typically houses abused women and their children, was swamped with calls Wednesday from people inquiring about space. The shelter accommodates up to 40 people. It is holding 42, said Rita Mullins, a counselor.
"All of the other shelters are full, so we're getting the overflow," Mullins said. "That's what's accounting for our buildup. But we're making space. We've moved some furniture against the wall so we can lay down pallets."
Should both shelters fill up, the Salvation Army is prepared to open the gymnasium at its Dale Avenue community center in Southeast Roanoke, Delaney said.
Delaney said she hasn't had time to consider what effect the increased demand may have on the organization.
"I haven't stopped to worry about that now," she said. "I'll worry about that when it warms up."
Forty transients walked in off the street and bunked down at the Roanoke Rescue Mission this week, said Lois Johnson Bettis, chief executive officer. Most are still there.
Bettis herself hasn't been home since Monday. Short-staffed because of weather, Bettis has spent the past three nights at the Rescue Mission ensuring that its residents are cared for.
Calls have come from people - aware of the overload - who want to help.
"One church made soup. Another gave us blankets and jackets," Bettis said. "Kroger gave us a lot of bread and cakes."
And though bed space may be in short supply, doughnuts are not.
The Krispy Kreme Doughnut Co. donated 100 dozen.
by CNB