Bitterly cold weather hit Central Missouri early and quickly this fall.
The Salvation Army of Jefferson City's Center of Hope has opened its cold cots program since Sunday night, center Director Brian Vogeler said.
The shelter, which has been at capacity since a tornado slashed through Jefferson City on May 22, normally has 31 beds available for shelters.
Dozens of people have taken advantage of the cold cots program, which allows the shelter to set out cots for up to an additional 20-30 people.
Cold or heat present emergency situations that allow The Salvation Army to temporarily increase how many folks the facility can shelter. When overnight low temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, the shelter offers the cots to allow people to escape the cold.
The shelter provides bedding materials - sheets, blankets and pillows - for people who stay on the cots overnight. In the mornings, staff bag up each person's bedding in case they have to come back the next night.
The shelter also distributes items to folks who need them to stay warm.
Donations of several items would be appreciated.
"We've seen a need for blankets, pillows, gloves and hats," Vogeler said. "People come in and ask for those things."
To make a donation, call 573-635-1975.
Bitter temperatures are expected to linger through Friday in Mid-Missouri.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services lists four warming centers in Jefferson City - the Center of Hope, 927 Jefferson St.; Clarke Senior Center, 1310 Linden Drive; Capital Mall, 3600 Country Club Drive; and Missouri River Regional Library, 214 Adams St.
DHSS also lists three warming centers in Linn - Eagle Stop, 1780 U.S. 50; the Osage County Health Department, 205 E. Main St.; and the Osage County Library, 1014 E. Main St., Suite D.
The libraries serve as warming centers during operating hours, MRRL marketing Manager Natalie Newville said.