“In weather like this our top priority is ensuring that everyone who needs a warm place to stay has someplace to go,” said a spokesperson for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
As intense cold weather in the Midwest nears record low temperatures, local Catholic Charities affiliates are reaching out to those who are most in need.
“Chicago is experiencing extremely dangerous and cold weather. We are anticipating some of the coldest weather on record,” Kristine Kappel, communications director for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, told CNA Jan. 6.
“In weather like this our top priority is ensuring that everyone who needs a warm place to stay has someplace to go,” she said.
The National Weather Service said Jan. 5 that temperatures in Chicago could fall to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill ranging from minus 30 to minus 50.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago has added more staff to its outreach program, which does well-being checks, delivers emergency food boxes and helps those in need find temporary shelter or a warming center.
Kappel said the Chicago agency has 227 shelter beds for men, women and families and is now at full capacity. Its mobile outreach program works with shelters around to city to ensure that all needs for shelter are met.
The agency works “very closely” with the City of Chicago and other social service agencies and shelters.
The National Weather Service has warned that wind chill readings so cold to be “life-threatening” will be widespread across Wisconsin.
Justine Lodl, director of communications for the Diocese of Green Bay, Wis., said everyone is vulnerable in such weather conditions.
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