LONGVIEW, Texas — With Monday night’s steep drop in temperatures, local shelters saw a rise in East Texans looking for a place to stay.
One of those shelters is Hiway 80 Rescue Mission in Longview.
With the rise in occupancy, Hiway 80 development director Paige Brewer says they need of donations.
“Right now our biggest need is canned food items because of the increase in traffic that we're having at the mission," Brewer said. "We're always in need of blankets, pillows, twins, sheets, we use that size throughout the mission. We have children, women and gentlemen who are in need of coats. We also always are looking for toiletry items."
Hiway 80 offers a place for men, women and children in need of a warm place to stay.
“We offer the mats and cots if our beds in our dorm room here are full. We want to make sure that everyone has a safe and warm refuge,” Brewer explained. “We provide meals seven days a week, three meals, and we're serving around 600 people currently. That is between our men’s shelter, our women and family shelter, and also our new shelter located in Tyler.”
For residents like Eric Nobles, Hiway 80 has had a life-changing effect.
“Everything has been a blessing you can have nothing when done, and they come in you've got everything," Noble said. "I've[got] everything from hygiene to close-toed shoes."
Hiway 80 takes donations in person at their facilities, they also take volunteer sign ups and donations on their website.