ST. LOUIS – As freezing temperatures grip the region, local organizations are working tirelessly to protect the unhoused.

Inside the St. Louis Winter Outreach warming bus, unhoused individuals have the opportunity to stay warm from bitter cold nights where they can receive blankets, gloves, and hand warmers.

Located downtown, the bus serves as a waiting area for those seeking transportation to shelters provided by volunteers in shuttles, cars, and vans. Once transported, they are taken to various shelters where they can escape the cold.

“They need the resources that they don’t have. It’s dangerous to be out on cold nights. We don’t want them to die, and we don’t want them to kind of figure it out themselves because it’s way too confusing,” Rev. Dr. Kristen Leslie with St. Louis Winter Outreach said. 

Donations of shoes and socks are distributed to those in need. The bus typically serves 60 people a night.

“We were struggling very badly, like worse than we are now. I am so grateful for these people. It is such a blessing that they have this,” Damion Manson, an unhoused citizen, said. 

The effort extended to Peter and Paul Community Services, which has opened its doors to the unhoused from Sunday through Saturday morning.

“We’re going to work to put them in another shelter, reunite them with a family member, or reunite them with services that keep them off the streets,” Peter and Paul Community Services Director of Campus Operations Kevin Major said.

At the center, individuals are served three meals per day and placed in a referral program aimed at securing long-term shelter.

“I got help to get myself together because I could’ve died. They watched everything for me, kept my dog for the past four days till I came back last night, and saved my life. These people are awesome,” Jennifer Brooks, an unhoused citizen, added.

Both organizations are strictly run on donations only.

To help donate or to check the status of the warming bus, click here. To donate to Peter and Paul Community Services, call (314) 588-7111 or click here.