Warming shelters packed, still not turning people away

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Catholic Action Center (CAC) is filled with people trying to stay warm and it is expecting even more people to show up Wednesday night looking for a warm place to sleep.

Workers say they aren’t daunted by the high demand.  They would rather be packed than have people outside in the dangerous temperatures.

"We’re here for them and we don’t want anybody to think we’re going to turn them away.  They will not be turned away," said Letha Simms with the CAC.  "We’ll do the best, whatever we can to help them."

Workers say with the recent cold snap they’re feeding about 200 people at every meal, double the amount they normally feed.

The CAC is looking for donations of food, warm clothes and paper products.

The Catholic Action Center will have a volunteer out looking for people trying to fight the cold Wednesday night and says the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and Lexington Police Department will also be patrolling to bring people to shelters.

The Hope Center, Salvation Army, Community Inn and Arbor Youth Services also say they are at or nearing capacity but none of them plan on turning anyone away who needs a warm place to stay.

The Community Inn is open 24-hours during the dangerous temperatures.  Workers ask for donations of things to make sandwiches since there is no kitchen to provide food for the people staying there.  Donations can be dropped off at the Catholic Action Center.