HOUSTON, Texas – The cold gripping Houston is more than just a morning inconvenience. For some Houstonians, especially those without shelter, this weather can be dangerous.
As temperatures dropped to the coldest levels of the season, community groups across the city moved quickly to help those most at risk. While many people were able to head indoors to stay warm, others had nowhere to go.
Volunteers prepared for outreach as the coldest morning of the season settled in, gathering blankets, socks, sleeping bags and other supplies meant to protect people experiencing homelessness during freezing nights. Photos from the effort show volunteers sorting and loading donated items, working to get warmth into people’s hands before temperatures drop again.
The outreach is being led by Lawrence Brown, with a focus on acting quickly as a strong cold front pushes through Southeast Texas.
Forecasters say the front followed dense fog that blanketed the region and ushered in much colder air, bringing freezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills overnight.
For those without shelter, exposure to near-freezing temperatures can quickly become life-threatening.
Community leaders say the goal of the outreach is simple: keep people warm and keep people safe as Houston experiences its coldest weather of the season.