MINOT, N.D. (KXNET) — Winter is coming, and families will be looking for places to stay during the colder months. Will shelters be ready in time? The Men's Winter Refuge is one of a few homeless shelters in Minot. They can house up to twelve men, to help them get jobs and find a place of their own. "So far," states Executive Director Mike Zimmer, "we have only had a handful of guys that have stayed. We've just been open for a couple of days, so it's pretty typical to have a slower start to the season. Typically, by December, we are getting close to full." With no warming center from Project Bee, the question is simple: where will families in need go to stay warm and sleep? Election: A quick look at the Measures "The issue with the closing of Project Bee is that we are all smaller shelters," Zimmer adds. "The blessing of Project Bee, when they were in existence, was that they could handle the overflow or folks that fall through the cracks with the rules and the regulations of the other shelters." Zimmer says if they run into a problem where the shelters are full, some organizations will help with transportation. A family homeless shelter is also scheduled to open at 1901 South Broadway on December 16th with four three-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units. Families here will have access to the Lord's Cupboard and the soup kitchen. "If it is open in time," Minot's Disaster Recovery Grant Administrator Chris Plank states, "we are currently working with individuals who have submitted information to possibly run the facility. They would set up guidelines, screen individuals, and have services set up for them. We obviously don't want any type of delay with the winters, as harsh as they can be here — however, sometimes that is inevitable. What the homeless shelter will do is help families who are seeking temporary assistance. They may have a temporary setback, and they may need a place to stay while they readjust and move on with their lives." In over 11 years of operation, the Mens Winter Refuge has seen more than 1,400 men come through their doors. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW