KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — The forecast temperatures and snow are leading to busy stores and warming centers.
Pamela Hampton-Wrig was one of those shoppers filling the aisles at Midtown Fresh in Kalamazoo.
She said she was stocking up on the essentials to avoid having to leave home during the cold snap.
“Fortunately, I can work hybrid so I don’t plan on being out, just hunkering down. Michigan made; it’s what we do,” she said.
Part of her plan involved potatoes and milk among other ingredients to make warm meals sure to keep the cold away. She is aware how risky the next few days could be.
“Stay safe. In Michigan, we don’t play. Just stay safe,” said Hampton-Wrig.
Community organizations have already been hard at work doing just that. Members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portage said this is their second year running a warming center during the winter months. From November to March, doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Kalamazoo Gospel Mission has been running through its cold weather plan since temps dipped below freezing earlier this winter.
“We offer day sheltering, we don’t usually do that. We open up and provide a place for people to get warm and a place that’s safe for them. We also provide lunch for anyone there,” said John Simpson, chief operating officer at Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries.
He said as the temperatures now drop below zero degrees, getting people out of the elements becomes even more critical.
“You know, it only takes a matter of minutes for when the weather is this cold for frostbite and other cold weather issues to arise. Our desire is to make sure people know where we are at and that we are accessible and intervene before it becomes a cold weather-related issue,” Simpson said.
