Shelters provide resources ahead of cold season

(ABC 6 News) – It may be nice out this weekend, but colder weather will be here before you know it. Plus, with rising rent prices, food and utility costs, even more people are struggling with housing instability and are facing homelessness.

Prices continue to rise and unfortunately, the cost of heating is no different, leaving a detrimental impact on the community this winter. But, there are resources to keep you and your family warm.

While winter is just a season to some, for others, it is incredibly dangerous.

“Wintertime presents a very scary, very stressful time for a lot of people that live low income and live in poverty in this community,” explained Rebecca Snapp, the community engagement director with Rochester’s Salvation Army. “There are more than 10,000 households in Rochester alone that make less than $30,000 a year.”

All are welcome at the Rochester Salvation Army Day Center for a hot meal and shelter from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. After that, staff from The Landing oversees the facility until 7 p.m.

However, starting Nov. 12, The Landing will open its new building and will be able to expand its day services.

But as night sets in, the two organizations do not have the resources to provide overnight and weekend services, and people must relocate to a different warming house.

The most important thing to remember if you are struggling is to ask for help.

“We have a rental assistance and a utility assistance program available to people here in Rochester,” said Snapp. “If you’ve gotten an eviction notice, if you’ve gotten a disconnection notice, if you’re just really behind and you’re really scared and you don’t know what to do, please call us. We can never help people if we don’t know that you need the help.”

To see more programs from the Salvation Army, click here.