| Dealing With a Northern Winter While Being Homeless |
Shelters and Meals
At one time I stayed at a homeless shelter, but it was open only at night. By 7AM it was
necessary to be out of the shelter, no matter what the weather. In winter that meant having
to deal with ice, snow, sleet, and sometimes sub-zero temperatures.
There was a church that opened it's doors to those in need at 7:30 every morning not too
far from the night shelter. They offered a breakfast of oatmeal with coffee and juice, and an
opportunity to get out of the weather for a while. They had to close after the breakfast, so
then it was necessary to find somewhere else.
A day shelter would open later, but since so many people used it the crowd was very difficult
to deal with. An alternative was the public library.
Later in the day there was always a dinner somewhere near downtown, usually at a church.
It could be a long walk through the cold, but another chance to get out of the weather for a
while, and have a good hot meal.
The homeless in most communities don't have these luxuries.
At one time I stayed at a homeless shelter, but it was open only at night. By 7AM it was
necessary to be out of the shelter, no matter what the weather. In winter that meant having
to deal with ice, snow, sleet, and sometimes sub-zero temperatures.
There was a church that opened it's doors to those in need at 7:30 every morning not too
far from the night shelter. They offered a breakfast of oatmeal with coffee and juice, and an
opportunity to get out of the weather for a while. They had to close after the breakfast, so
then it was necessary to find somewhere else.
A day shelter would open later, but since so many people used it the crowd was very difficult
to deal with. An alternative was the public library.
Later in the day there was always a dinner somewhere near downtown, usually at a church.
It could be a long walk through the cold, but another chance to get out of the weather for a
while, and have a good hot meal.
The homeless in most communities don't have these luxuries.
I have spent some time homeless up north where the winters can be difficult enough to deal
with if you have a good home. If you're homeless it gets especially rough, and dangerous.
Some cities have shelters open around the clock and some even seek out homeless to take
into a shelter. Sometimes churches will take in homeless at night, providing mats or cots to
sleep on. That's not typical. In much of the country there isn't enough shelter space for
more than a small percentage of the homeless.
with if you have a good home. If you're homeless it gets especially rough, and dangerous.
Some cities have shelters open around the clock and some even seek out homeless to take
into a shelter. Sometimes churches will take in homeless at night, providing mats or cots to
sleep on. That's not typical. In much of the country there isn't enough shelter space for
more than a small percentage of the homeless.
Camping Out
I have camped out in weather down to zero degrees. Of course I made use of plenty of
blankets in addition to suitable clothing, plus staying in a location out of the wind. A very
serious danger is wind chill. Sometimes, with sub zero temperatures, the effective
temperature with wind chill can be 60 degrees below zero. Staying out of the wind, having
proper clothing, and keeping dry are critical.
I have camped out in weather down to zero degrees. Of course I made use of plenty of
blankets in addition to suitable clothing, plus staying in a location out of the wind. A very
serious danger is wind chill. Sometimes, with sub zero temperatures, the effective
temperature with wind chill can be 60 degrees below zero. Staying out of the wind, having
proper clothing, and keeping dry are critical.
Dealing with the Cold
Whether staying in a night shelter or camping outside, you still have to face the weather
and proper clothing is important. Things like an insulated winter coat that keeps the wind
out, wool socks, boots, gloves, and a wool cap are not just for comfort. It's a matter of
survival to have adequate clothing. For camping out, a sleeping bag or multiple blankets.
and a tent or some type of windblock, are absolutely necessary.
It's common to hear people say that someone "froze to death". If a person's body
temperature drops below 98 degrees F (35 C) it's termed hypothermia. If body temperature
drops below 89.6 degrees F (32 C) body processes shut down. Without emergency
assistance, the person dies. It has nothing to do with freezing. It's about maintaining body
temperature, and there is a limit of how much heat the human body can produce to maintain
that temperature.
Hypothermia can happen well above freezing temperatures. Inadequate clothing and wind
chill add to the problem of maintaining body temperature. Getting wet in the rain multiplies
this problem. Even in southern states, like Florida, people die from exposure to the cold.
Between 1999 and 2002, hypothermia-related deaths, totaling 4,607 in number, occurred
in all 50 states in the United States (CDC 2006).
Hunting magazines have articles about survival in winter wilderness conditions. While a
hunter may get lost for a day or two in freezing temperatures, and need to use survival gear
and knowledge, the homeless have to face these conditions every day.
Whether staying in a night shelter or camping outside, you still have to face the weather
and proper clothing is important. Things like an insulated winter coat that keeps the wind
out, wool socks, boots, gloves, and a wool cap are not just for comfort. It's a matter of
survival to have adequate clothing. For camping out, a sleeping bag or multiple blankets.
and a tent or some type of windblock, are absolutely necessary.
It's common to hear people say that someone "froze to death". If a person's body
temperature drops below 98 degrees F (35 C) it's termed hypothermia. If body temperature
drops below 89.6 degrees F (32 C) body processes shut down. Without emergency
assistance, the person dies. It has nothing to do with freezing. It's about maintaining body
temperature, and there is a limit of how much heat the human body can produce to maintain
that temperature.
Hypothermia can happen well above freezing temperatures. Inadequate clothing and wind
chill add to the problem of maintaining body temperature. Getting wet in the rain multiplies
this problem. Even in southern states, like Florida, people die from exposure to the cold.
Between 1999 and 2002, hypothermia-related deaths, totaling 4,607 in number, occurred
in all 50 states in the United States (CDC 2006).
Hunting magazines have articles about survival in winter wilderness conditions. While a
hunter may get lost for a day or two in freezing temperatures, and need to use survival gear
and knowledge, the homeless have to face these conditions every day.
The Need for Donations and Volunteers
There is a very great need of warm clothing for the homeless. Boots, thick socks (especially
wool), good insulated coats, sweaters and gloves are always in need. Shelters and soup
kitchens also need donations of food, money, and more volunteers, to stay in operation.
One time I noticed that someone gave a donation of gift vouchers to a shelter that were
made out as $40 and specified for "only boots and socks". This is a great idea. The person
who made the donation knew that it would be properly used, and the recipient could choose
what fits them.
If there are organizations in your area that provide assistance to the homeless,
please help them out. Many have been forced to cut back or close due to lack of
support, while the need is increasing.
There is a very great need of warm clothing for the homeless. Boots, thick socks (especially
wool), good insulated coats, sweaters and gloves are always in need. Shelters and soup
kitchens also need donations of food, money, and more volunteers, to stay in operation.
One time I noticed that someone gave a donation of gift vouchers to a shelter that were
made out as $40 and specified for "only boots and socks". This is a great idea. The person
who made the donation knew that it would be properly used, and the recipient could choose
what fits them.
If there are organizations in your area that provide assistance to the homeless,
please help them out. Many have been forced to cut back or close due to lack of
support, while the need is increasing.
| Photos by Jim Rees |
 | |  |
| homelessamerican.com |
| homelessamerican.com |
Between 1999 and 2002, hypothermia-related
deaths, totaling 4,607 in number, occurred
in all 50 states in the United States (CDC 2006).
deaths, totaling 4,607 in number, occurred
in all 50 states in the United States (CDC 2006).
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