TYLER, Texas — A cold front is sweeping through East Texas, so organizations are offering different resources to try and help the homeless bare the cold.
One example is the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission. The mission has campuses in Tyler and Longview, and they’re encouraging Rose City residents in-need to visit the Gateway to Hope Center downtown.
"And there they receive case management, they receive showers, laundry, coffee, snacks, and other services that we’re providing them," said Jason Brandon, director of Tyler ministries for Hiway 80. "And also a direction to resources to further help them."
Brandon says all four campuses are taking donations of blankets, warm clothes, hats and gloves, and food items.
While the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission is accepting donations, the Tyler Street Team has boots on the ground handing out supplies under the Gentry Bridge.
"For instance, this Saturday we came out with extra toe warmers and socks for layers" said Elena Arrendondo. "We warned all our unsheltered friends out here of this upcoming early cold snap that was very unusual, we wanted to make sure they were prepared."
The Tyler Street Team formed in 2021 after "Snowmagedon" iced over East Texas. They connect unsheltered people with local resources and emergency supplies, and also have a hotline that people living on the streets can call for help at any time. Arrendondo specifically named sleeping bags as a donation item the organization is looking for.
"We try to make life on the streets a little more bearable for them if we can," Arrendondo said.
The Tyler Street Team is accepting numerous items that can be purchased here.