Organizations prepare to shelter, provide heaters ahead of cold

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MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Local organizations are preparing for the cold weather and getting ready to provide shelter for families in need.

The Salvation Army of McAllen said they are fully ready for the cold to begin and any influx of people at their doors.

“Our shelter is ready at all times to be able to take anybody that is in need of a place where to stay with the inclement weather coming up," said Frankie Zuniga, commanding officer for the McAllen shelter.

The Salvation Army of McAllen has a total of 33 beds for women, 33 beds for men, and several family rooms that accommodate up to five family members. Zuniga said they also have 50 extra cots if needed.

“We do have a lot of other space that if, for some reason, there was an influx of people that came at any given time, we are able to provide some cots around the area," Zuniga said. "We have a couple of, you know, family, family room space.”

Although the shelter only allows people to stay the night and asks them to leave during the day, they are planning to have extra staff for Wednesday as they believe it will be cold and raining.

Zuniga said people will only need an American-issued ID such as a Texas ID or a driver's license to be able to stay the night.

In Edinburg, the Hidalgo County Community Service Agency (HCCSA) is also preparing to aid families who may not have heaters at home.

Jaime Longoria, the executive director of the HCCSA, said they hope to reach out to families before the colder weather begins.

“We want to make sure vulnerable families are safe and can go through these kinds of events without any unnecessary suffering," Longoria said. "It's really important we recognize that there are those kinds of families in our community that struggle every day to make a decision between 'do we pay the utility bill, do we buy a heater or do we buy food or do we buy medication'.”

Longoria said the organization has about 47 heaters to give out.

Interested individuals must apply at their offices or call a representative for assistance. Longoria said they will also work with several people to deliver the heater if they do not have reliable transportation.

Zuniga added the most immediate items they need at the Salvation Army of McAllen are coats for the people they will receive in the coming days.

The Salvation Army of McAllen can be reached at (956) 682-1468 and they are located at 1600 N. 23rd St.

The Hidalgo County Community Services Agency can be contacted at (956) 383-6240 and is located at 2524 N. Closner Blvd. in Edinburg.

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