Wendy Harper/MDN Lt. Trevor Reed, corps officer and pastor with The Salvation Army, stands inside The Salvation Army building in Minot on Thursday, Jan. 22, where a temporary emergency cold weather warming center is operating downstairs.

Due to dangerously cold temperatures forecast this week, the Minot Alliance to End Homelessness is activating a temporary emergency cold weather warming center at The Salvation Army to provide a safe, warm place for individuals experiencing homelessness or without adequate shelter.

The 24-hour warming center opened Thursday, Jan. 22, and will also operate Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23-24, with the possibility of remaining open Sunday, Jan. 25, if severe weather conditions persist, said Lt. Trevor Reed, corps officer and pastor for The Salvation Army. Wind chills are expected to fall below -30, creating life-threatening conditions.

The warming center is being coordinated through a collaborative effort involving local nonprofit organizations, First District Health Unit, Minot Police Department Minot Fire Department and community volunteers.

“This is much needed for the community,” Reed said. “No one should be outside in these conditions. This warming center provides a critical, temporary solution to keep people safe during extreme cold.”

Christy Miller, executive director of Souris Valley United Way, emphasized that the warming center is an emergency response, not a long-term facility.

“This is a temporary, emergency solution during extreme cold,” Miller said. “The focus is protecting human life during a dangerous weather event.”

The Minot Alliance to End Homelessness stressed that the warming center is a short-term response activated only during life-threatening weather conditions.

Community members wishing to support the effort are encouraged to make financial donations to The Salvation Army. Monetary donations are the most effective way to help meet immediate needs such as staffing, meals and supplies during extreme cold weather.

Additional information will be available as weather conditions evolve.