Not everybody has a place to go during this winter weather, but the Homeless of McMinnville Effort (HOME) is striving to help as many people as possible.

This week, temperatures plummeted and snow covered Warren County. HOME was busy trying to help as many people as possible. Before the snow hit, HOME was preparing to use The Haven, Prosperity Point and winter shelter rooms and, additionally, they were already sheltering 26 adults and six children. This came on the heels of December, an extremely busy month where the group served 48 adults and 12 children. Due to the high demand, this is the most costly time of the year for HOME.

Before the snow, HOME volunteers handed out cards to local convenience stores and put the word out as much as possible to call them if they knew someone in need of shelter. Volunteers are manning the 24/7 phone lines. Anyone who knows someone who may be in peril due to the winter storms can call (931) 668-0702.

First United Methodist Church opened their Outreach building this week through Wednesday to help with the overflow of people. By Monday, most of HOME’s emergency shelter rooms were at or near capacity.

A big concern during these extreme temperatures for people living on the streets is hypothermia and frostbite. It is important to recognize the signs of these conditions.

Frostbite is when the skin and the tissue just below the skin freeze. Signs of this include numbness, skin that looks red, white, bluish-white, purple, ashen or blistered.

If you notice frostbite, call 911 immediately and stay with the person until help arrives. If emergency help is not available, move the person to a warm, not hot, place. Offer them something warm to drink to help with circulation. Remove the wet and constricting clothing and gradually rewarm. If warm water is available, soak the affected area in it. Bandage the area with a sterile gauze to prevent further injury. Do not attempt to rewarm the skin if it is about to be re-exposed. Do not rub, or break the blisters. Do not use dry heat like campfires to rewarm.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency when your body temperature falls below 95 degrees. Signs include: confusion, disorientation, shivering uncontrollably, no longer feeling cold, loss of coordination, bluish skin and slow breathing or pulse. If you notice someone has these signs, call 911 and stay with the person until help arrives. If emergency services are not available, stay with the person and keep them awake. Remove the cold and wet clothing. Rewarm by covering them to retain heat and prevent shock. Offer the person high energy food and warm drinks.

Anybody wishing to help HOME, can donate money to the HOME Venmo account: @home37110, Paypal: Home371101@gmail.com or to the P.O. Box 301. No donation is too small.

HOME also accepts blankets and other cold weather gear. Those items can be dropped off at 121 Bybee Branch Rd. Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you know someone in need, call (931) 668-0702.