Due to emergency level winter weather conditions, the American Red Cross Chapter House in Mansfield opened their doors to community members to stay warm. They were open today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be providing snacks, coffee and other hot drinks, and a place to stay warm and protected from the blistering elements.
Grace Episcopal Church on 41 Bowman Street opened its doors at 4 p.m. and will stay open until Wednesday morning. They will be providing cots and blankets courtesy of the American Red Cross and a lasagna dinner cooked by volunteering members of the church. Grace Episcopal Church has the largest food pantry in Richland County, according to Disaster Specialist Julie Frim of American Red Cross in Mansfield.
Temperatures will be dipping as low as zero or three below through the afternoon today. However, the wind chill could make temperatures reach 30 degrees below zero. With temperatures that cold, the National Weather Service in Cleveland advises to stay inside as it may only take 10 minutes for exposed skin to receive frost bite.
The wind chill warning remains in effect from today to 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
Keeping people out of the elements and indoors where it is warm is the initiative the American Red Cross in Mansfield and Grace Episcopal believes in. “We don’t want people to get hurt from being out in the elements. We’re very fortunate to have this space in these types of situations, said Frim.”
The space Frim referenced is a conjoined two-room kitchen and sitting area where people can sit and stay warm. The kitchen is fashioned with a stove, refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker with ample cabinet space for snacks and utensils. The sitting room has chairs and tables with a television.
The Red Cross Chapter House opens its doors to the community in emergency situations. Although the cold temperatures do not merit an official emergency for the Red Cross because power has not been lost, Frim believes the response to a need is important.
“Being part of that response is what is important to us,” Frim said. Volunteers from Red Cross were planning to transport supplies like cots and blankets to Grace Episcopal Church today to help with the effort in keeping families and individuals warm.
Frim also warned the community of using alternative heat sources during this cold weather. Using ovens and space heaters are warned against because the risk of igniting a fire is increased. According to the Frim of the American Red Cross, who responds to house fires to provide the family with hotel accommodations if needed, there were six house fires in December in Richland County due to alternative heat sources.
The Red Cross Chapter House in Mansfield is located at 39 North Park Street in the Richland County Community Center building. They will be providing a warm place, snacks, coffee and/or other hot drinks until 4 p.m. today. For more information call 419-524-0311.
Grace Episcopal Church is located at 41 Bowman Street. Click here for directions or call 419-524-2661. They opened their doors at 3 p.m. on Monday and will be open until Wednesday morning.
