COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The colder months are upon us and as temperatures dip below freezing and Columbus continues to face a housing crisis, warming centers across the area are feeling the impact.   Many are packed just three days into December.   Tom Pappas, founder of Franklinton’s long-standing Tommy’s Diner, dies Sheli Mathias is the director of The Open Shelter on Columbus' east side.   "We see on average probably 200 people a day and we will easily see more, closer to probably 250-300," Mathias said.   She said the city's housing crisis paired with the cold temperatures is concerning.    "I've been doing this for ten years and this is the worst it's been and it's done nothing but get worse and it's scary," Mathias said. "It feels like the city is behind the eight ball."   On the city's west side, MY Project USA has opened its doors as a warming center for the first time with its downstairs space converted into two areas for men and women. Founder Zerqa Abid said she decided to do so after seeing the need last winter. She said they're prepared to host 40 people each night.    Ohio among least happy states in country, study finds "This is a matter of life and death for not one, not two, but hundreds of thousands of people just in the city of Columbus," Abid said.   Both shelters are always accepting clothing and food donations.  "We can always use blankets and coats and hats and gloves and hand warmers and foot warmers and things like that," Mathias said. "But the reality is, with the economy the way that it is, The Open Shelter itself is also struggling financially. So, we need to be able to keep the heat on."   Anyone interested in helping can drop off donations to The Open Shelter Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mathias said financial donations also keep their heat flowing and their water hot. She's reminding people they've been around for many cold winters, but have also helped people through many hot summers, as the need remains great year-round.  Powell sports bar to take over building that formerly housed Coaches in Gahanna "This is such a sad reality of our time that we have in 2024, America 2024, Columbus, Ohio, that we have people out there on our streets without homes, without shoes, without winter gear, and they have no other options," Abid said. Anyone interested in helping MY Project USA can visit its website by clicking here.   For a list of warming centers open in the city, click here.