Norman shelters and resource centers are preparing for an expected winter storm over the weekend.
As of Thursday evening, the National Weather Service predicts precipitation early morning Friday into Sunday, with the period of heaviest snow and sleet hitting central Oklahoma from Friday night to Saturday night. According to the National Weather Service, snow accumulations of over 6 inches are expected across northern and central Oklahoma.
Food and Shelter
Food and Shelter, located at 201 Reed Ave., will be open as a 24-hour warming station beginning 8 a.m. Friday, according to an email from Director of Operations Jess Alvarez sent to OU Daily Wednesday. Alvarez wrote she anticipates having the warming station open through at least Jan. 29.
According to its website, Food and Shelter serves breakfast and lunch every day.
“We will have hungry people, and we do not normally provide dinner, but having the funding to provide them food would be wonderful,” Alvarez wrote.
Food and Shelter also partners with Outreach Thrift Norman, which provides vouchers for those in need of warm clothing, Outreach Thrift Day Manager Jessica Dupler told the Daily Thursday.
“One of our agencies we receive our vouchers from is Food and Shelter,” Dupler said. “Their clients get to come in and redeem their vouchers here with us.”
Dupler also said the store is open seven days a week and the vouchers for free clothes can be redeemed during weekdays.
Alvarez wrote Food and Shelter needs donations of coffee, warm gloves, long warm socks and blankets.
“Warm items, especially hot hands and gloves are the difference between people losing their fingers and toes, these donations literally save lives,” Alvarez wrote.
City Care
City Care, an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit organization that specializes in addressing homelessness, operates a night shelter at 109 W. Gray St.
OU Daily reached out to various sources from City Care and asked about their preparation and expected operation during the weekend. At the time of this article's publication, the Daily has not heard back from these sources.
Care-A-Vans
Care-A-Vans offers free on-demand transportation and shelter shuttle services to unhoused people in Norman from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The organization also delivers meals to unsheltered neighborhoods.
In a Thursday Facebook post, Care-A-Vans requested donations to help purchase cold weather supplies like coats, gloves, hats, socks, hand warmers and blankets.
“We are doing everything we can to meet those needs: providing food, winter clothing, hygiene supplies, and care packs with love and dignity. But we can’t do it alone,” the post reads. “Every dollar goes directly toward keeping our friends warm and cared for during these colder months.”
According to a National Weather Service urgent message Thursday, travel will likely become slick and hazardous during and after the precipitation.
“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency,” the message reads. “Persons should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary.”
OU Daily reached out to Care-A-Vans and asked if it expects winter weather to prohibit mobility or operations during the weekend. At the time of publication, the Daily has not yet heard back.
City of Norman
According to its Winter Weather Information and Preparedness website, the city of Norman remains in close communication with local nonprofits to support and assist as needed during extreme winter weather.
“To make sure people have the correct information, we try to get all of that out online for them, and definitely encourage them to reach out as needed, or dial 211,” Tiffany Vrska, Norman’s chief communications officer told the Daily Wednesday. “We help facilitate some of that information, and we support our partner agencies that are very busy at work during these emergency events.”
211 is a referral and information helpline and website operated by United Way of Norman, which connects people from all communities and ages to health and human services, according to its website.
The city website links to additional community resources throughout the metro area, as provided through the Cleveland County Continuum of Care, in an Upward Mobility Resources Map.
The city website recommends residents follow the National Weather Service for situational updates, view city communication avenues and opt into emergency alerts from the city via AlertNorman.
This story was edited by Macey Thaxton, Audrey McClour and Natalie Armour.
