[NEWS] In frigid temperatures, service providers work to get Philadelphians out of the cold

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

In the mazelike concourse at Suburban Station, a Project HOME outreach worker hugged clients and encouraged them to head inside.

At the Hub of Hope, the nonprofit’s drop-in center in the concourse for people experiencing homelessness, dozens lined up for hot meals. Later that night, as they had for the last several days, staff would set up cots for up to 80 people with nowhere else to go.

Typically, the Hub closes in the early evening. But amid the ongoing freeze, it’s open 24-7 as city officials and homeless services providers work to keep vulnerable Philadelphians safe.

Last month, the city declared a “Code Blue,” a designation that opens additional shelter beds and other resources. Ever since, the nonprofit’s hotline has fielded more than 6,000 calls, an average of more than 500 a day.

Normally, it receives about 140 a day.