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Community Helps Homeless as Cold Weather Hits
Weather around Austin is expected to start dipping into freezing temperatures, and the community is doing what they can to help the homeless in Austin.
Ellisa Shopoff is part of a small group that cooks warm meals for the homeless. Shopoff has volunteered for the last three years and said with the cold weather on its way it important to help those in need.
“At this time of year it's especially important,” Shopoff said. “People need to eat, because food shouldn't be going to waste when there are hungry people.”
On Sunday, the group made six different dishes from grocery store donations. Shopoff said it’s the least she can do to give back.
“I don't want to pat myself on the back, but it feels good to be able to give somebody else what they need,” Shopoff said.
But, with so many people on the streets in Austin, several organizations around town are also pitching in to help.
Meghann Ziler, Community Relations and Volunteer Coordinator at Trinity Center downtown, said when temperatures drop below 35 degrees the Center opens its doors on the weekends for a make-shift, cold weather shelter. Ziler said the tables and chairs are put away and they bring out cots to provide a warm place to stay for single women.
“Everyone has a different story, we are here to meet people where they are and provide basic needs and emergency shelter when we can. Single women experiencing homelessness in Austin can come to Trinity Center to have a safe warm place to sleep for those nights,” Ziler said. “There's a significant amount of people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Austin, single women are among the most underserved.”
On Wednesday, some of those women without a place to stay, at least got a warm meal thanks to Ellisa Shopoff and one generous group.
“It's important to provide these resources regardless of the temperature,” Shopoff said.
Community Helps Homeless as Cold Weather Hits
Weather around Austin is expected to start dipping into freezing temperatures, and the community is doing what they can to help the homeless in Austin.
Ellisa Shopoff is part of a small group that cooks warm meals for the homeless. Shopoff has volunteered for the last three years and said with the cold weather on its way it important to help those in need.
“At this time of year it's especially important,” Shopoff said. “People need to eat, because food shouldn't be going to waste when there are hungry people.”
On Sunday, the group made six different dishes from grocery store donations. Shopoff said it’s the least she can do to give back.
“I don't want to pat myself on the back, but it feels good to be able to give somebody else what they need,” Shopoff said.
But, with so many people on the streets in Austin, several organizations around town are also pitching in to help.
Meghann Ziler, Community Relations and Volunteer Coordinator at Trinity Center downtown, said when temperatures drop below 35 degrees the Center opens its doors on the weekends for a make-shift, cold weather shelter. Ziler said the tables and chairs are put away and they bring out cots to provide a warm place to stay for single women.
“Everyone has a different story, we are here to meet people where they are and provide basic needs and emergency shelter when we can. Single women experiencing homelessness in Austin can come to Trinity Center to have a safe warm place to sleep for those nights,” Ziler said. “There's a significant amount of people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Austin, single women are among the most underserved.”
On Wednesday, some of those women without a place to stay, at least got a warm meal thanks to Ellisa Shopoff and one generous group.
“It's important to provide these resources regardless of the temperature,” Shopoff said.
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