© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Service providers need help during the prolonged ice storm

  A volunteer serves hot soup to clients at a warming center in Eugene.
Kelly Lyon
/
Egan Warming Centers
Egan volunteers provide guests with sleeping pads and blankets, warm drinks and meals, heartwarming hospitality and basic first aid.

The icy weather has been hardest on those who are houseless in our community. St. Vincent de Paul is among the many Eugene area organizations providing shelter during this crisis.

Bethany Cartledge, St. Vinnie's Executive Director, said they've been referring unsheltered families to hotels. They’ve also had their day center open for people to get a meal and a warm place to be. With libraries and community centers closed because of the weather and holiday, it’s one of the few places available for unhoused people.

“It was really gratifying to hear from the staff that the individuals at the Eugene Service Station for it being as packed as it was, it was really peaceful,” Cartledge said. “I think that everyone is just really grateful to have a safe place to be.”

The Egan Warming Centers will be open again Monday night for people to shelter from the bitter cold and ice in Eugene and Springfield.

“It’s really a community project,” Cartledge said. “It’s amazing every year when we see all the sites that will open up their doors and allow us to come inside. And then the incredible amount of volunteer support. We haven’t had the volunteer support at the levels that we had pre-2020. So we’re still hoping to have additional volunteers sign up. Not just for this activation, but for the activations that will go through March 15.”

Cartledge said they’re taking financial donations online.
They were planning to open their Chad Drive location Tuesday to take donations of warm clothes, blankets, food and other items. She added St. Vinnie's isn’t the only community organization offering help to people who are unhoused.

If you are seeking assistance, you can call 211 to get connected to community resources.

Rachael McDonald is KLCC’s host for All Things Considered on weekday afternoons. She also is the editor of the KLCC Extra, the daily digital newspaper. Rachael has a BA in English from the University of Oregon. She started out in public radio as a newsroom volunteer at KLCC in 2000.
Related Content