SHREVEPORT, La. - The temps promise to be bitter, and officials at local shelters are hoping they can help those who need a warm place to go.
The Salvation Army and the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission are two shelters that welcome everyone with open arms. After the holidays and recent cold weather, they are low on some supplies.
Both shelters have seen an increase in those needing help. The Salvation Army provides food to those who come to them.
"Families are coming to the Salvation Army in need of food, and it is our goal to provide at least 2 to 4 weeks of food to our families, depending on their family size," said Shreveport Salvation Army Corp Officer Major Pierre Smith.
The Salvation Army's food pantry could use donations so they can continue to provide for those who need it.
"Items like pasta, dry beans, rice, you know, peanut butter, jelly. Of course, we are looking for some protein as well. Like a veggie, canned chicken and spam, you know, things to sustain them," said Smith.
The Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission had 30-40 new intakes in the last week, but they still have plenty of room and urge anyone who needs a warm place to go to visit them.
"We have quite a few beds left, but we have a whole warehouse full of cots. We brought cots already in to the mission. We have plenty of warm blankets. We have plenty of food. We cook meals; we cook three times a day," said Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission Executive Director Larry Otwell.
The rescue mission is also in need of some urgent donations.
"We're looking for travel-size underarm deodorant, travel-size toothpaste, travel-size alcohol-free mouthwash, you know, any kind of hygiene products in travel size because we're getting a lot of people in," said Otwell.
Both shelters said they have a good supply of coats and blankets but could really use items like food and toiletries.
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