Keeping the homeless warm during winter

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —After a fairly mild winter, the Magic Valley is getting some colder temperatures and snowfall.

With the winter being more mild, officials at the Valley House Homeless Shelter and Warming Center said the number of people needing shelter from the cold hasn’t been that big.

Operations Manager Randy Wastradowksi said there have been a few times where the Valley House was at capacity and the Warming Center saw a few spikes when the temperature dropped into the teens or single digits. However, overall it’s been a pretty average season at the warming center thus far.

“The most we’ve had is 16. We’ve been averaging eight to 12. Just depends on what’s going on at night,” Wastradowski said.

In total, 96 people have come through the warming center’s doors this winter. But now, with temperatures dropping as well as the snow, Wastradowski is expecting that number to rise.

“We’re anticipating an uptick, maybe 10 to 15 people tonight, tomorrow night. But any given night we just don’t know. So we’ll see. We could be surprised and have 20,” Wastradowski said.

However getting to the Warming Center can be tough for the area’s homeless in this weather. Wastradowski recommends getting close to downtown before the warming center opens. However, if folks are looking for a place to stay out of the elements until then, he says the library is a good place to wait.

“That’s very close by, it’s like two blocks away from the warming center. So if you can get to the library before it gets too bad or even during the day, a lot of times our guests will hang out at the library during the day and then come here at night,” Wastradowski said.

Wastradowski added the Valley House could always use more food donations, as well as blankets and coats to provide to people. At the Warming Center, what they really need are more volunteers for their 4 to 7 a.m. shift.

“It’s also an important shift because that’s when people are waking up, getting ready, putting things away, cleaning things. So it’s important to have several people to be able to do that,” Wastradowski said.

Those wanting to donate or volunteer can call the Valley House at (208) 734-7736.

Copyright 2025 KMVT. All rights reserved.