The last week has frozen Fulton, with temperatures lingering around zero at night and chilly winds.
While most are lucky enough to return to cozy homes, Our House's homeless shelters are there to serve area residents who don't have that option. Their beds are almost at capacity, Our House Executive Director Brad Sheppard said.
"We're almost full," he said. "We just have a few beds for single women."
He added other area shelters are facing similar squeezes. He's received calls from shelters in Jefferson City and Mexico asking if Our House has extra space.
Our House has two shelters: Wiley House for single men and women and Haven House, which accommodates families. Wiley House generally operates only as an overnight shelter, with check-in from 6-9 p.m.; guests must depart by 8 a.m.
Sheppard said he's concerned about the guests during the days, especially on the weekends. Usually, he said, Fulton's homeless spend time at the library or the John C. Harris Community Center during the day.
"But there's not really anywhere to go on Sundays," he said.
He kept Wiley House open during the day on Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, with the help of volunteers.
In order to stay open during the day more often, Sheppard will need more volunteers or more donations to pay staff during the day. Volunteers come in pairs and receive a brief orientation, he said. Their job is, more or less, to simply keep an eye on things.
To volunteer, visit ourhousecallaway.org/volunteer.
While Our House is currently well-stocked on blankets and coats, Sheppard is seeking donations of other winter-weight gear: gloves, hats, socks and scarves.
"Most of these folks are on foot," he pointed out.
He said donations can be dropped off after 6 p.m. at 829 Jefferson St. in Fulton. Call 573-642-6065 to schedule a daytime drop-off.
The Fulton Soup Kitchen has also faced increased demands following the destruction of New Beginnings Church of Christ's food pantry (which was burned in a September fire). Visit the volunteer page on Facebook to learn how to help out: facebook.com/groups/108329065904418.