SPRINGFIELD — Last winter, the 25 beds at an overflow shelter at Wesley United Methodist Church were often full.
This year, it’s doubling its capacity. The space, run by the Urban Impact Initiative, opened on Monday evening ahead of the season’s first big snow storm.
“We’re really happy to be able to expand and provide the service,” said Jynai McDonald, founding CEO of the initiative.
On Tuesday afternoon as it snowed, McDonald already had received calls from social workers and community members asking about the shelter.
It’s supported by about $420,000 from the state and $377,000 from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to Geraldine McCafferty, the city’s housing director.
Some of the city funds are going toward repairing the heating system in the church gym, which is allowing the shelter to add beds.
McCafferty said she is relieved to have the additional space this winter amid rising homelessness in recent years.
“I’ve been very worried about the winter and keeping people safe,” she said.
In January last year, the city’s more than 200 shelter beds were full, and Springfield announced the overflow shelter at Wesley United. It planned to be open for just 15 days when the weather was bad, but with additional funding, it expanded to be open each night.
“We’re happy to have the city’s support in doing more this year,” McDonald said.
The shelter plans to be open every night through at least the end of February.
Doors open at 5 p.m., and beds are given on a first-come, first-serve basis. A meal is served around 6:30 p.m.
The shelter is looking for donations of hats, gloves, scarfs and emergency blankets.
