Shelter numbers steady despite cold temperatures

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The low temperatures have made nights bitterly cold lately. Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM) opens its doors for several dozen men and women who otherwise would not a warm bed for the night.

Seven nights a week people needing a place to sleep register between 9 and 9-30.

They sign in, make their beds and even get a warm meal.

The shelter can hold as many as 44 people but volunteers say the average lately has been around 35.

"Somebody can freeze to death in 6-degree weather,” Shelter Coordinator James Totton said. “Really, the goal here is we want people to be healthy, we want them to be safe. We want to make sure that we find them a better way, a better life."

If you need a place to stay, LUM is open 365 days a year.

If would like to help the shelter is in need of socks.

You can drop off donations 420 N. Fourth St. in Lafayette. LUM’s office hours run from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and you can call them at 765-423-2691 if you have any other questions. Or, just head to the Lafayette Urban Ministry website.