SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — People across KELOLAND are hunkering down for a multi-day stretch of extreme cold.
It’s the type of weather that can be dangerous for anyone outside even for a short amount of time.
The temperatures outside Monday struggled to even reach zero. When it’s this cold, one of the places people are turning to is the Union Gospel Mission.
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On days like Monday, spending any time outside can be dangerous, especially for people like Kamrein Laemmle, who don’t have a permanent place to call home.
“Usually, I just make short distance walks. I don’t try to travel too far, but even when I have to go to work, I have to walk like two miles. It’s like an hour walk,” Laemmle said.
Laemmle is currently staying at the Union Gospel Mission.
“I’m so thankful because if I didn’t have this place, I don’t know where I’d go,” Laemmle said.
As of Monday afternoon, the Sioux Falls shelter only had one bed left. On cold nights, like Monday night, the shelter will set up extra beds for what it calls Mercy Nights.
“You can think of it as like an overflow of people that we’re letting stay,” Union Gospel Mission Men’s Center co-director Todd Hill said.
“If there’s anybody that’s in need of a place, come here. Come to a safe place. Know that if you need a bed overnight, just come here. Don’t be out there trying to do this on your own,” Union Gospel Mission CEO Eric Weber said.
“We’re expecting higher numbers tonight, Tuesday night, Wednesday night, probably Thursday, Friday. It sounds like warm weather is coming next weekend and next week, so maybe the numbers will go down,” Hill said.
Until temperatures start warming up, Weber is encouraging everyone to lend a helping hand.
“When it gets this cold, if you see somebody that needs to be inside somewhere, get them inside somewhere,” Weber said.
Weber said that teams such as Midwest Street Medicine were out encouraging people to find shelter.
He also said you can dial 211 to help you find resources for people in need.
