Need up at Wheeler Mission during cold snap INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Wheeler Mission saw 847 people in their three shelters as Indiana felt sub-zero temperatures Jan. 21. These cold temperatures are deadly to anyone living outside without shelter. “To stay outside in the cold in this weather. It’s life or death,” Brian Crispin, director at Wheeler Mission, said. Wheeler Mission is in winter contingency mode, where they go beyond their bed capacity for individuals seeking shelter, Crispin said. “So we will put mats on the floors, we put beds in areas that we have space for.” The shelter can add about 70 beds to the women’s space and 100 to the men’s shelter. Wheeler mission sees between 700 and 900 people on any given night. The cold temperatures draw people inside, but Crispin said people still need beds year-round. “On a warmer night we’re still pretty busy. We’re still near our dead capacity nearly every night. So you’re talking close to 700 people on average,” Crispin said. Wheeler Mission works with other non-profits and government agencies to help people during dangerous winter temperatures. “There’s a coordinated effort to make sure people are inside in the winter time so there are a lot of agencies making sure people know where the beds are, where the resources are,” Crispin said. If you are interested in helping, you can learn more about ways to give here and ways to volunteer here.