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Local shelter opens cold‑weather space; volunteers and donations requested
Summary
A Shelton shelter representative told the city council the shelter has opened a cold‑weather space for people on nights below freezing, serving about five to 10 people per night in recent days. Staff and volunteers are coordinating meals and daytime supervision; the shelter is seeking donations and volunteers, per comments in the meeting.
A representative for a local shelter updated the Shelton City Council Monday that the facility has opened a cold‑weather shelter to keep people from freezing on nights when temperatures fall below freezing.
"It is below freezing at night and during the day, and so we have added a cold weather shelter," Aaron Martimack said in public comment. He said staff have split coverage between upstairs and downstairs to keep the shelter open, and that "we have had between 5‑10 people over the last four nights that have taken advantage of that." Martimack said dinner teams are coordinating evening meals and case managers are trying to staff the shelter during the day while conducting casework.
"They're also allowing people to come in out of the cold during the day and feel supported and supervised. It's really important for us, for people, not to freeze outside. Right? That can cause death and dismemberment, but also to feel safe when they're inside," Martimack added.
Later in the meeting council members noted the shelter is seeking donations and volunteers. Staff and a councilor said the shelter has posted a list on its Facebook page asking for items including blankets, snacks and bottled water and is seeking volunteers for night‑shift and other duties.
No formal council action was taken on the update; the remarks were part of the public comment period. The presenter said he was "always available and willing to communicate" with council and thanked the city for its support.
