DETROIT (WWJ) -- Metro Detroit saw its first accumulation of snow on Sunday, signaling that cold winter temperatures are on their way.
One organization in Detroit is asking for the public’s help in keeping homeless people warm this winter.
“Every year I do funerals for people who have frozen to death on the streets. One is too many, but I see way too many every year, so we’re going to work really hard,” said Father Tim McCabe of the Pope Francis Center.
The Pope Francis Center, located within the TCF Center near the Detroit Riverfront, is now taking donations for their Sanctuary for the Season program.
McCabe says they’re doing all they can to keep people warm and off the city’s streets.
“During polar vortexes, we do shelter in place and we provide places for people to go. People can get into hypothermia at even like 40 degrees. If they’re wet, they can die from the cold,” he said.
The Pope Francis Center sees between 150-200 people come through its doors every day to get nutritious meals, shoes, laundry, medical and dental attention, and more, McCabe says.
McCabe has a goal -- ending chronic homelessness on the streets of Detroit.
“I think the city has done a really good job of addressing homelessness. I think there is a gap in services and that’s what we’re going to address,” he said. “We’ve got a building project going up to really help those who are chronically homeless get off of the streets and into permanent housing.”
Anyone who wants to donate money or volunteer their time to the Pope Francis Center can visit their website.
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