AR nonprofit opens their doors to the homeless during frigid temps
Jan 21, 2025
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Dangerously cold temperatures will have a grip on our region for another night with expected lows in the teens.
A rare winter storm across South Mississippi is being felt by residents in Mississippi and Arkansas.
"It's very, very cold," one resident said. "I would not advise nobody be out."
A Tunica man and woman were dressed in heavy layers on Tuesday morning after an unexpected snowfall and bitter cold forced Tunica County Schools to cancel classes.
The district cited some roads as too dangerous for school buses to travel.
The Road Department treated bridges and intersections where black ice was reported.
Scattered snow flurries, Tunica schools closed
However, the general feeling from those who spoke to WREG was that it's unbearably cold outside.
"It's just outrageous," Tunica resident Tierrita Partee said. "It's just cold out here."
Frigid temperatures and icy roads also canceled classes in the Helena-West Helena School District on Tuesday.
The dangerous weather led residents to focus on the issue of homelessness in the Phillips County community.
One homeless man who was spotted building a warming fire did not want to speak on camera.
Unfortunately, this situation has been seen too many times by the staff at Anchor Mission Ministries Inc. where the homeless are welcomed, especially in the winter.
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"They might only stay for a night or two or a few minutes," Megan Green said. "But they get something to eat while they're here. They get warm clothes if they need clothes."
Green said Anchor Mission operates three shelters in town, doing what it can to keep the homeless safe.
"They'll have frostbite," Green said. "Some go stay in the ER due to it because of it being so cold. It's sad."
However, those in the community said that they can feel the difference the shelter makes.
"When I was homeless, I spent a lot of nights in my camper without heat (and) without water," Jesse Lumpkin said.
More information about Anchor Mission Ministries Inc. can be found here.