INDIANAPOLIS — As this weekend's storm comes in, it's time to get the layers out.
However, for many people in Indianapolis, they don't have winter clothes or a place to be warm and dry.
Shelters all around Indianapolis know they get an increase of people during the winter; they expect even more when storms come in. As they provide resources like warm clothes and shelter, many go outside to bring people in.
"During these kinds of weather instances, it really is about saving lives. The last thing any of us want is for somebody to die on the streets," Leslie Kelly, Director of Programs at Horizon House said.
The Horizon House Street Outreach team will go to different areas in Indianapolis connecting with unhoused people. When they approach people, they will provide warm clothes and see if they need medical attention. While they know not everyone will take the offer, they provide warm resources and encourage everyone to get to a warming shelter.
"We are going to offer options, services resources, places, we always make sure people know where are the shelters," Kelly said.
It's not just Horizon House getting ready to welcome people in, Wheeler Mission says this is their busiest time of the year.
"We do have space; we are not at capacity. We are going to do our best we can to make sure we can serve anybody who needs to come out of those cold conditions into something warm," Darius Gover, Program Manager for the men's shelter said.
While many shelters have spent the last week preparing for this storm, they want everyone to know there is a warm place to stay.
"We see you, we care about you, we want you to be safe, that's what we are here to do," Kelly said.
To donate clothing items to Wheeler Mission or Horizon House you can visit their websites. There are also many warming shelters throughout Indianapolis, you can see the closest one on their website.