You’re one of the thousands of homeless in Columbus. You own a tent and found the perfect isolated location, but it’s getting cold. Very cold.
Neither City Council nor the Mayor invest much time thinking about how to solve this problem. They talk about how much they care and post videos online, but have no long-term strategy. Or, maybe it’s that I started to think about it and noticed how little they (and Franklin County) actually do to help the homeless; especially compared to a Woman’s Volleyball Team.
I assumed that there were dozens of shelters and “warming centers” around Columbus to allow people to survive this level of cold. I was wrong.
During the day the homeless are encouraged to visit a public library to get warm (a completely different problem), but at night?
There’s only one “warming center” that operates 24 hours a day.
Read the previous sentence again.
In a growing city with almost a million people and a city budget of over a billion dollars there is only one “warming center” that operates 24 hours a day. It’s not operated by the city either. It’s run by a non-profit out of the basement of First English Lutheran Church.
Columbus has no full-time homeless shelter either. That’s by choice. And the 24 hour “warming center?” It’s near downtown. If you’re one of the thousands of homeless who don’t live near downtown you’re out of luck.
Too bad for you and your family.
It’s frustrating to know the city gives millions of dollars in tax abatements to wealthy businesses but actively ignores homeless. That’s my frustration but speaking to city government and asking them to do their jobs hasn’t worked in the past. Waiting for our billion-dollar city government to help the homeless is a waste of time, they just won’t.
This is a problem now – it must be solved now.
Late one night I bought 6 pizzas (2 sausage, 2 pepperoni and 2 cheese) and drove to the only 24 hour “warming center” in Columbus.
3rd Shift Warming Cooling Center
At the door they were temporarily confused until I explained that the pizza was for them. After that I was invited inside where I sat with their staff until 12:30am listening and learning. Unlike Ginther or Hardin this was not an orchestrated “photo opportunity” that you see online.
That night they had over 30 women on cots in one basement room and another 40 men and families in another. A large television was always playing in the corner and there was no privacy whatsoever. This is what a “warming center” provides. The bare necessity to help people stay alive and out of the cold. No luxury. No privacy. I learned more than I imagined just sitting and listening.
Everyone Has a Cell Phone
I never thought about it, but even if you don’t have a place to live, you’re going to need a cell phone. The staff explained it to me in a “matter of fact” way asking me to try to survive without one. It’s not that I’m stupid, but I had never thought about it. Whether it was a pre-paid cell or a month-to-month contract, just about everyone sleeping in the church basement had a cell phone. How else would they be able to contact loved ones, potential places to live, job opportunities, or other social services?
Doordash Will Provide
While we were quietly talking, someone came downstairs with a few bags of food from Wendy’s. I had a confused look on my face until a staff member explained that sometimes people will arrange for Doordash to deliver late at night. They might be homeless, but they get hungry and there isn’t anything nearby. Therefore, they do the logical thing and call Doordash. The man that got the order didn’t finish all of his food so he left the rest out on the table for anyone who was hungry. Made sense to me.
Towels and Socks
Before I left I asked what they needed and the answer was simple: towels and socks. They have a shower for people to use, but nobody has their own towels. The “warming center” needs to provide them. And socks? Everybody needs socks all of the time. After I got home, I emailed all of my neighbors and sent a dozen text messages. By the next day I had two bags of towels to donate. My neighbors are fantastic people.
The only 24-hour “warming center” in Columbus is First English Lutheran Church at 1015 E. Main St, 43205.
You can deliver used towels and/or socks at the “green door” on the corner of McAllister Avenue and South 22nd Street. 3rd Shift is a non-profit organization serving the people of Columbus who need a warm and safe place to sleep.
If you love other people ask your neighborhood member of City Council what they can do to help; they work for you. With a billion-dollar yearly budget you’d think your city could provide more than one 24-hour “warming center.” There are still thousands of homeless sleeping in tents around Columbus tonight.
It must be cold inside City Hall.
