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Last night, the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross opened an emergency warming center for Portland's homeless population for the very first time.
The center, located at the Estate Hotel in Portland's Old Town, was open from 8 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. and served 33 people and three dogs, with help from the Oregon Humane Society. The Red Cross was prepared to serve anywhere from 150 to 200 guests.
Tonight, the Red Cross will re-open the Estate Hotel center and add one more location St. Francis of Assisi Church at 330 SE 11th. Both locations will be open from 8 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday nights and will maintain an "open door policy," so guests can come and go freely.
While the emergency warming centers will provide safe respite from the cold and hot coffee or soup, they differ from traditional Red Cross shelters in that clothing and financial support will not be available.
Local partners in this project currently include the City of Portland, Portland Business Alliance, Cascadia Behavioral Health, Central City Concern and St. Francis of Assisi.
For more information, contact the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross at 503-284-1234 or visit www.redcross-pdx.org.
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Local Oregon Trail Chapter volunteers respond to residential fires and other disasters an average of every 40 hours. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from Oregonians. Financial gifts help provide shelter, food, clothing, counseling and other immediate assistance to those in need. Call (503) 284-1234 or visit www.redcross-pdx.org. |
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