Twin Falls Warming Center sees less usage

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The weather outside may be rainy, and a little warmer than usual, but that doesn’t stop the Twin Falls Warming Center from providing shelter to those who need it.

The way the warming shelter works is if temperatures are above 34 degrees, they don’t open, anything below that they are open. Valley House Homeless Shelter Operating Manager Randy Wastradowski said there were periods of time in November where the warming center was closed due to warmer temperatures, the most being for a week. This year they haven’t seen as many people utilizing it.

“The weather hasn’t really been super cold per say. We did have stretch in November where the lows were in the low 20s, but other than that, it’s been fairly mild for winter. So we’ve been averaging eight to ten a night,” Wastradowski said.

The previous year they had upwards of 12 people a night. Wastradowski said numbers could rise the following months.

“If it stays kind of mild and dry we may just see the same number. If it drops down to the teens and below and it snows, we’ll probably see more usage,” Wastradowski said.

Wastradowski added last January and February is when the center’s numbers peeked. He noted the biggest need they see from people is shelter.

“Most of the people we see here are either on foot or in their car so they don’t have a lot of capacity to carry stuff like blankets and sleeping bags and stuff,” Wastradowski said.

Despite the lower numbers, the warming center still needs manpower to help assist and keep an eye on the users.

“We definitely need volunteers for our 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. shifts,” Wastradowski explained.

Wastradowski said they have plenty of beds and blankets, but food for breakfast and dinner is also needed.

“Pop Tarts and the individually wrapped packed coffee packets. Things like that. Cup of noodles are popular, anything that can be microwaveable that’s in an individually served container,” Wastradowski said.

They are limited in what they can serve due to no kitchen facilities.

Those interested in volunteering or learning how to donate can email them at tfwarmingcenter@gmail.com or contact the Valley House Homeless Shelter at (208) 734-7736.

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