Salvation Army offers warm place to sleep during cold winter nights

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - During the winter months, the Salvation Army of Decatur & Macon County's men's shelter expands, offering extra cots for people looking to get out of the cold.

"It's the same shelter. It's the same staff," said Director of Development Kyle Karsten. "It's the same love and support and restoring of hope as in the program, but sometimes it's just that short term one night or two nights of sub-zero temperatures."

The shelter provides a place to sleep, a hot shower, and food.

Two years ago, 128 different men used the 'Cold Cots' program. In 2024, almost 150 did.

"What we want to see is those men not need our help next week, next month, next year," Karsten said. "So, the goal is: How can we get men into their own homes and how can we walk that path towards getting them their jobs?"

The organization was able to help 73 men find their own permanent housing and help 55 get jobs.

"The support of the community helps us do what we do," Karsten beamed. "If we don't have the funds, we would not be able to sustain the operations of the shelter. It's all costs we're all faced with that continue to go up in our own homes. Well, this is a big home. This is a big home."

The shelter can hold about 60 people per night.

95 men were served in December, while 73 were helped in January.