Organizations that help the Upstate's homeless population are bracing for a surge of refugees from the cold and possibly freezing rain or snow in the weekend forecast.
The Salvation Army and Miracle Hill Ministries will open their shelters if the weather is as inhospitable as a couple of the forecast models suggest. In fact Miracle Hill's Jacob Edmisen says their emergency shelters are always opened when temperatures drop below forty degrees. He says that's the standing policy in all of the area communities where rescue missions are located.
White flags displayed at those shelters mean extra accomodations -- sleeping mats, food, hot showers -- are available. Edmisten says that goes for all who need shelter regardless of their condition, or state of intoxication, as long as they're non-violent. The Greenville County Salvation Army will open it's Rutherford Road shelter but social services director Laura Stephens says there is a need for donations of items for emergency packs, especially blankets, socks and individually-wrapped snacks.