(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- This is the time of year when Chicago’s Night Ministry goes into high gear, sending its crews out to the neighborhoods most affected by poverty and homelessness.
But this week, there’s some concern about how the weather may affect the work of this social service organization.
It’s the snow in the forecast that the Night Ministry says may impede its efforts to help people living on the streets.
Organization spokesman Burke Patten said their vehicles may not be able to get out where they’re needed.
“For the folks that are living on the streets, there’s an increased risk of severe weather-related health challenges and even death,” he said.
“So, it’s just a very concerning time that we’re going to be entering into.”
Patten says before the snow and the intense cold were forecast, the Night Ministry had planned to bring holiday gifts, stockings and a meal to people.
They’re still doing that, but now he says they’ll take an extra vehicle crammed with coats, gloves, hand warmers and blankets. And they’ll be giving out transit cards so people can get to a warming center or to just to get access to public transportation as a means of shelter.
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