With the help of several service organizations and churches, progress is being realized in the effort to help Garland’s homeless population. Since one of the most important needs continues to be shelter for homeless folks when the temperatures drop to dangerous levels, the service groups have set a specific list of steps to be taken and volunteers to carry them out.
A GLOWS (Garland Overnight Warming Station) team watches the weather forecast to see if weather conditions will merit opening the shelter. Currently, Axe Memorial United Methodist Church at 1700 West Kingsley Road near South Garland Road, hosts the warming station in their gymnasium.
Due to the constant change in weather forecasting, between noon and 2 p.m. on the day of a possible GLOWS opening (32 degrees with a 20 percent chance of precipitation or 25 degrees), the team will check the National Weather Service’s current forecast and make a decision to activate GLOWS and open the shelter. The homeless have been given a phone number to call to see if the shelter will be open.
Those in need of a warm place to sleep can call 972/495-6476 to hear the recording. Announcement of the opening of the shelters will also be posted on social media as well as on the digital library signs. First responders are also notified so that they can spread the word.
Participating organizations, including Axe Memorial Church, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Lavon Drive Baptist Church and Good Samaritans of Garland are contacted as soon as GLOWS is activated.
In addition to warm shelter and a cot and blanket, snacks and hot meals are provided for guests. Garland Pawsabilities provides crates and food for pets.
Lavon Drive Baptist Church provides transportation from the Rally Points to the shelter. Rally Points and transportation buses will have the GLOWS signage displayed. Rally Points are:
The Salvation Army-451 West Avenue D
Good Samaritans of Garland – 214 North 12th Street
Matthew 25:40-2021 Saturn-Suite D
Camp Gatewood-Duck Creek at East Oates Road (no shelter-will drive by)
There are additional locations that bus drivers will drive by to check for folks that need a warm place to stay. These include:
Cinemark Hollywood Theater (not designated)-4040 South Shiloh Road (meet out front)
Walmart at Broadway (not designated) 555 Interstate 30 (meet out front)
New Hope Fellowship at 475 East Oates Road (meet out front)
Tinsley Park, US 78 between Kingsley and Miller (no shelter-will drive by)
Transportation begins picking folks up at the Rally Points at 5:30 p.m. and continues driving by every half hour until 7:30. The guests are returned to the Rally Points at 8 a.m. the next morning.
Additional services for the homeless population are in the planning stages.