Homeless shelter demand rises as temperatures drop

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - As the bitter cold moves in, the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission downtown is seeing an increase in need.  Officials said they've seen about a 17 percent increase.

When temperatures drop, volunteers pull out all of the cots and extra mattresses they have.  In some cases, men  have to sleep on the floor of the lobby to find relief.  Once the homeless are able to come inside of the mission, Pastor Sharon Gerig said you can see the relief on their faces.

"One gentleman actually told me today that he was surprised how easy it was to come in and warm up and get a bed to sleep on," Gerig explained.

The beds, cots and mattresses are getting filled up quickly due to the frigid weather.  Most everyone who drops in appreciates the help.

"In fact I had a gentleman today that just talked about how much he appreciated being here and didn't realize it was so easy for him to come and stay."

Although you may not see the homeless on the streets, Pastor Gerig said they're here and the need's increasing.

"They're just like us.  They're no different than you or I.  They desire to have a home, to have a job, to have someone love them, and to know that their life is a value and it matters."

Now that The Rescue Mission is helping more people than ever before, it's noticing a new profile of who the homeless really are.

"We continue to see men who have been business owners and have lost everything.  Men who have been in politics - running for Congress and different things like that."

The homeless can grab a meal and snag one of the few beds that are available, but beyond that Pastor Gerig also wants to equip them with hope and direction.

"Many who are homeless feel like they're hopeless and there's nothing out there for them.  Their life's never going to change.  It's never going to get better.  We just really want them to see that life can be better."

The Rescue Mission is asking for donations.  If you have any pillows or blankets you'd like to donate, you can drop them by the shelter on Superior Street.  Monetary donations will also be accepted to buy more cots.