I received word from Preston Patterson, manager of the Men’s Drop-In Shelter that they will continue to extend hours during this coldsnap. The predicted low for Sunday, January 26 is -12.

Preston writes:

Wednesday 1/22/14

• All bans to remain lifted until Wednesday morning 1/29
• Van service to overflow shelters from main shelter

Thursday 1/23

• Van service  from overflow shelters, back to main shelter
• Main shelter will close at 9am
• Evening van service to overflow shelters

Friday 1/24

• Resume normal shelter operations – no van service and normal closing time

Saturday 1/25

• Normal shelter operations – no van service and normal closing time

Sunday 1/26

• Main shelter to remain open until 1pm
• Van service yet to be determined

Monday 1/27

• Van service from overflow shelters, back to main shelter
• Main shelter will close at 9am
• Evening van service to overflow shelters

Tuesday 1/28

• Van service from overflow shelters, back to main shelter
• Main shelter will close at 9am
• Evening van service to overflow shelters

I’m happy to share this information and I’m happy that they are making decisions now about the weekend. One of the problems is getting the word out, so please share widely.

I learned how important getting this information out in a variety of ways is. On Monday, I spoke with a man who had been treated for frostbite the previous night. Banned from the shelter, he didn’t know that such bans were temporarily lifted, so he didn’t seek shelter there.