Ahead of the incoming winter storm, the Atlanta Mission, a nonprofit in the city’s downtown area, is preparing to welcome a potential surge of unhoused people in need.
According to the facility, which serves about 800 unhoused men, women and children nightly across metro Atlanta and Athens, frigid temperatures will leave those living on the street vulnerable and at high risk of cold-related illnesses, such as hypothermia.
“I think probably the biggest thing we’re getting ready for is just a surge of people,” Tensley Almand, the organization’s president and CEO. “The thing about Atlanta Mission is we don’t ever operate under capacity. So all of our beds are full, but we want to make sure on a weekend like this that we don’t turn anybody away.”
Almand is encouraging residents to donate winter clothing, blankets and food to any organization supporting Atlanta’s unhoused, as resources are expected to be stretched thin this weekend. And, if not possessions, the organization president suggests that community members can also donate their time.
“If we do get weather like this, find a place within walking distance and go help serve a meal. Most of the places who are gonna be taking care of people are gonna be understaffed this weekend, or those staff are gonna have been there for 24, 48, 72 hours,” said Almand.
