COVINGTON, Ky. -- Kim Webb, executive director of the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, says it was “absolutely necessary” to reopen the facility with temperatures expected to drop below freezing this week.
But reopening the shelter means they’re in dire need of donations, Webb said, because volunteers closed the shelter last week and had started cleaning everything out.
Temperatures are expected to fall to 27 degrees Wednesday night and will dip back into the 20s over the weekend. That kind of cold could keep the shelter open through Sunday.
Although it’s April, Webb still monitors the weather.
“We make that decision based on extremely dangerous temperatures … we start watching anything under 32 degrees at night,” Webb said.
Webb said she can’t remember a time the shelter had to be reopened for an extended period in the spring, but she said she’s not surprised. The shelter was open around the clock for 17 straight days this winter due to the frigid cold.
If you’d like to make a donation, the shelter is in need of:
- Twin sized sheets and/or lightweight blankets
- Sweatpants/pajama bottoms
- Socks
- Non-perishable snacks
- Paper plates/Napkins/Plastic utensils
In addition, the emergency shelter is in need of dinner for 40 to 50 people on Friday and Saturday.
Anyone who would like to make a donation can call 859-291-4555. Donations can also be dropped off at the shelter located at 634 Scott Blvd. Financial donations can be made on the organization’s website.
It costs the shelter $20 per night to house a person. They're 92 percent privately funded, including donations. Webb says the shelter relies on the generosity of the community to provide clothing, hygiene items and other materials to people experiencing homelessness.
