WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A homeless shelter in Wilkes-Barre is at max capacity Wednesday night and the cold weather is impacting it even more.
Keystone Mission says its intake has increased drastically. Those seeking shelter there say it's been difficult to live out in these conditions for hours at a time during the day.
Pam Shea waited outside Keystone Mission in Wilkes-Barre Wednesday night with a cough from suffering pneumonia.
She was waiting to return back into the homeless shelter after hours of being out in the cold.
"Brutal. I've never dealt with something like this," Shea explained.
At 71 years old, she has sought shelter at the facility since October and says she has suffered pneumonia twice from living out on the streets this season.
"It's tough being out here with the wind that's when it gets to me the most," Ronald Segear said.
It's harsh for Ronald Segear too who has sought shelter at Keystone Mission for more than a month.
Snow expected during Thursday morning commute
The shelter opens its doors at 8:00 p.m. most nights and remains open until 7:00 a.m. the next morning, leaving most of the day for Shea, Seager, and others to be out in frigid temperatures.
When those doors finally do re-open each night, it's a break from the brutal cold.
"Glad to get out of the wind and it's a lot warmer inside now than outdoors," said Segear.
As the temperatures drop, the line of individuals waiting to get in each night grows longer.
"The numbers have been rising. There's a lot of domestic abuse victims and survivors. We also have a lot of elderly that's been on the up-rise," Overnight Keystone Mission Shelter manager Diana Delgado said.
Delgado says they've gone from taking in 40 individuals to now 70 during this time of the year.
That means the staff needs to be ready.
Restrictions on roadways across Pennsylvania during Thursday’s snow
Delgado says they provide the individuals with warm meals, health services, and pieces of winter clothing from community agencies.
"Hats, scarves, gloves, and even coats everything that we get is very much needed and is always given out," Delgado continued.
Almost every corner of the shelter is occupied with extra cots brought in.
Segear says the days can be long, but it's a relief having this shelter to return to.
"I'm glad to get in," Segear continued.
Delgado says they could still use some extra supplies at the shelter such as 20 more cots as the number of individuals keeps rising.
