As we reported just over a week ago, the city has teamed up with the Poverello Center to open a new emergency shelter for the cold weather months. The location is the former "SHEC" Community Center/Church at Johnson and North Avenue, and The Pov has agreed to run the shelter and keep it staffed seven days a week, through March 31st.

During the pandemic this year, the number of beds available at The Pov on West Broadway has been reduced to 88, so more people than ever are facing sleeping on the cold streets of Missoula this winter. In addition, families who have never had to ask for help before, have been forced to utilize services at The Pov and the Missoula Food Bank due to business and jobs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. So this winter shelter coudn't have come at a better time, it opens this Sunday, November 1st.

Photo by Angel
Photo by Angel
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I stopped in to check it out today as I was handling some other business with our good friends at The Pov. And can I just take a sentence here to say how impressed I am with that team? Every time I've had the pleasure of working with The Pov staff, they are smiling, friendly, kind, and although they are likely overwhelmed considering how much they take care of for our community, very gracious and welcoming. Thanks to their hard work, 150 sleeping spaces are available at the winter shelter, all separated by 6 feet or more, with an operational kitchen that will serve one meal per day.

For more information, or to help, you can learn more at The Poverello Center website.

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