Temperatures are expected to drop into the mid-20s overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday. And it will feel much colder than that thanks to a frigid wind chill.

These temperatures are highlighting a need at local shelters as they work to accommodate as many individuals as they can during the cold.

When the temperature drops below 40 degrees, the shelters operated locally by the Inter-Faith Council can expand to bring in 20 more people out of the cold.

Cots set up for extra beds on cold nights at IFC shelter. Photo via Chris Horton.

“There aren’t extra beds for people when it gets cold,” IFC shelters residential services director Stephani Kilpatrick said on Tuesday. “So what we do is we provide those extra beds in the form of cots when the weather is below 40 degrees. So we just set up extra cots in whatever space we can find and allow people to come in just for the night.”

But that also expands the need of the IFC.

“Towels, wash cloths, twin sheets, pillow cases, actual pillows and then some things like bar soap,” Kilpatrick said when listing items the shelters would be in need of as winter is not officially here and there have been several nights with temperatures below 40 degrees.

Kilpatrick asked that anyone help in any way they can during these cold temperatures.

“We’re a community agency, and everybody’s a part of it,” Kilpatrick said. “So there’s always some way form someone to help out in whatever way works for them.”

The IFC operates the Community House men’s shelter on Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard in Chapel Hill. To access those services during the cold weather, individuals in need must meet at the Community Kitchen at 100 West Rosemary Street by 6 p.m. for transportation to the shelter.

HomeStart is a residential facility for homeless families and single women and individuals can access those services on Homestead Road by whatever means of transportation are available.

Anyone with questions regarding the IFC services or who would like to contribute donations can call the main office at (919) 929-6380. Financial donations can also be made online.

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