MACON, Ga. — Central Georgia will soon see some of its coldest temperatures in years, those temps dipping as low as 15 degrees this week.
Just ahead of Christmas, some people are finishing their shopping or their travel plans.
Others may be getting ready to brave severely low temperatures, and with that in mind, several agencies are pulling together to make sure they can help people stay warm this winter.
Warming centers and homeless shelters across Central Georgia are opening their doors.
"Too often, we only pay attention to unhoused neighbors when it drops this cold. What we’re trying to in Macon-Bibb and regionally is address shelter capacity and housing solutions every day of the year,” Jake Hall, executive director of United to End Homelessness of Central Georgia said.
Brookdale Warming Center and the Salvation Army are offering food and shelter to men, women, and children.
"This is for those that are out sleeping in the woods, on the street. We opened our warming station to prevent hypothermia from those that are out in the cold without blankets, without shelter, and to possibly prevent death," Latresia White, social services director said.
Daybreak is accepting supplies to warm those in and outside their building.
"If they're not going to go into a shelter for whatever reason, if you can have a hand-warmer keeping your hands and your feet warm, that can keep your circulation, so we're trying to make sure people have what they need to stay warm this weekend,” Sister Theresa Sullivan, director of Daybreak, said.
The Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia, a faith-based organization, is open to those who are homeless or suffering with other issues, ready to make a permanent change.
"A lot of people are really good at temporary food, temporary housing, temporary clothing. We’re offering something a little more permanent that's going to take a lot of sacrifice, but we believe a lot of sacrifice comes with this abundant life God's called us to live,” CEO Pat Chastain said.
No matter the issue, all are focused on solutions for this week and the weeks to come.
"As much as I’m really concerned about this weekend and making sure people have what they need, I’m also concerned every single day,” Sister Theresa said.
Each agency says they are spreading the word of their services through word of mouth, their social media, and in the field outreach.
All the organizations say they can use your help through monetary donations. They could also use donations like blankets.