Haven for Hope readies for cold night

Homeless shelter expects crowd

SAN ANTONIO – Shortly after noon on Wednesday, a small line had begun to form at the Haven for Hope.

With temperatures slowly dropping, members of San Antonio's homeless community were looking for a warm place to take refuge.

"We tend to get a few more people staying overnight when the weather dips down," Evita Mendiola, with Haven for Hope, said.

By 4 p.m. it was 48 degrees outside and weather forecasts showed temperatures dipping below freezing overnight.

Mendiola said they have plans in place for freezing nights.

"When it's below freezing, what we want to do is make sure individuals have an indoor place to sleep, so we open up our cafeteria," Mendiola said.

They also have other facilities on stand-by in case they run out of room -- something Mendiola said that has never happened.

And while they have plenty of room, Mendiola said they can always use donations of hats, scarves, coats and gloves.