Willamette Valley Homeless Seeking Shelter From The Cold; Agencies Desperately Need Donations

The cold snap could prove deadly for the homeless, especially children and the elderly

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - With frigid temperatures expected in the Salem area over the next few days, the number of homeless trying to find a warm place to eat and sleep has put those who are trying to help in a desperate need of donations of food and warm clothing.

The National Weather Service says high temperatures in the mid-valley are expected to be in the mid to 30's to lower 40's, and overnight low temperatures are expected to be in the teen's to low 20's through Tuesday.

Officials at the Union Gospel Mission men’s shelter, located at 345 Commercial St. NE in downtown Salem, say they have been seeing a steady increase in the number of homeless men seeking shelter from the cold and wet weather. The same is true for the women’s shelter at 5119 River Road N. in Keizer.

The men’s mission has been averaging over 200 a night, while the women’s shelter, Simonka Place, remains full with 60 women and children.

Officials want to remind residents that if they see someone, or know of someone that is homeless, to urge them to come to either shelter for assistance.

If they are full, they will do their best to find them other shelter.

If you can help, please drop-off items at the following locations:

Union Gospel Mission Men’s Shelter: 345 Commercial St. NE

Union Gospel Mission Thrift Store: 885 Commercial St. NE

UGM cash donations can be made by calling: (503) 362-3983

Salvation Army Social Service/Shelter: 1887 Front St NE

The Salvation Army Salem Thrift Store: 162 Lancaster Dr NE

Salvation Army cash donations can be made by calling (503) 585-6688.

YWCA Salem Outreach Shelter:

Cash donations can be mailed to: PO BOX 7438, Salem, OR, 97301

The YMCA shelter is located at 2555 Silverton Road NE.

Albany Helping Hands: located at 615 9th Ave. SE.

You can drop items off their main location. Cash donations can be mailed to:

Albany Helping Hands P O. Box 2252 Albany, OR 97321

Community Outreach Inc:

865 NW Reiman Ave Corvallis, OR 97333

Phone: (541) 758-3000

Jackson Street Youth Shelter:

24-hour help lines:

(541) 754-2404 (800) 901-2904

Donations can be dropped-off at: 555 NW Jackson St. in Corvallis

Mail donations to: Jackson Street Youth Shelter PO Box 285 Corvallis, OR 97339

Area homeless shelters are seeking the following items:

Needed food items:

• Potatoes
• Canned Foods
• Peanut Butter
• Spaghetti
• Sugar
• Canned Fruit
• Juice
• Canned Soup
• Noodles
• Coffee
• Salt
• Baby Formula
• Cereals
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Spices
• Onions
• Mayonnaise
• Vegetables
• Tomato Sauce
• Tomato Paste
• Tea/Tea Mix

• Blankets
• Sleeping Bags
• Candies
• First Aid Kits
• Paper, Pins, Pencils
• File Folders
• Copy Papers
• Bath Towels
• Shampoo
• Razors
• Deodorant
• Grocery Bags
• Socks
• Sweaters
• Toothpaste
• Shave Cream
• Plastic Bags
• Underwear
• Jackets
• Dishes
• Pots & Pans
• Eating Utensils
• Dressers
• Table/Chairs
• Lamps
• Towels
• Sheets

Medical Items:

• Gauze Tape
• Tylenol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen
• Cough drops
• Cough & Cold Medicines
• Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta
• Peroxide, Alcohol
• Antibiotic Salve
• Foot Powder
• Caladryl, Lotion

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"How could I have said more" ? Priceless, yes, but also economically highly productive since known to have resulted in personal rehabilitation never achievable otherwise.

A society is judged by how it takes care of its most vulnerable. We are getting an F for failure. I want to thank all of the people that participate in helping anyway they can. A quart of milk or a new toothbrush is like gold to those who have nothing. The person to person contact that sometimes occurs is also priceless.

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