With forecasts predicted to dip to wind chill factors of 10 degrees below zero the weekend of Feb. 13 and 14, Lifestyles of Maryland Executive Director Sandy Washington and her staff are scrambling to make sure Charles County’s homeless population is protected and prepared.
It is a daunting task.
“We’re pedaling as fast as we can,” Washington said. “It’s too cold to be homeless.”
Washington said she sent four of her staff members out to known homeless camps Friday, Feb. 12.
“We’re talking to folks and asking them where they’re going to be,” she said. “It’s extremely cold. It makes us very nervous.”
She praised the efforts of Exit Lighthouse Realty in White Plains, which has continued to house and feed some of the county’s homeless.
Washington said Exit is going one step further and beginning to offer free meals on Tuesday nights at the First Baptist Church in Waldorf.
“It’s really wonderful what they’re doing,” she said.
Lifestyles is part of Charles County’s Emergency Plan for the predicted freezing temperatures, she explained, adding that they are in communication with the Charles County Department of Social Services and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office as part of that plan.
“We are urging the public if they see someone out there who looks as if they may not have anywhere to go to call our hotline at 301-609-9900,” she said, adding that the call will transfer to on-call staff.
She said citizens can also call the Charles County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 301-932-2222.
“This is no weather for anybody to be out in,” she concluded.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com