The Audrain County Shelter Resource Coalition announced in a news release that Room at the Inn, Audrain County’s only seasonal winter emergency shelter, will not open in December as it has in previous years.

Due to a lack of funds to support full operations, the shelter will only open on an as-needed basis throughout the month of December when a Cold Weather Advisory has been issued for Audrain County and volunteers are available to staff the shelter.

ACSRC has been and will continue to work diligently to raise the funds necessary to resume
regular shelter operations in January and February, providing overnight services from 5 p.m. to 7
a.m. every day of the week, the release stated.

Activation of Room at the Inn throughout the month of December will follow the cold-weather
safety guidelines indicating “A High Threat to Life and Property from Excessive Cold” when a cold-weather advisory has been issued for Audrain County.

Room at the Inn may open when:
● hard freeze conditions exist with temperatures 24°F–27°F for two or more hours
● a wind chill warning with lowest wind chills between 12°F–20°F exists
● a winter weather advisory predicting snow (0.10”–0.50”), sleet (0.10”–0.25”), ice
accretion under 0.25”, or glaze on bridges/overpasses exists
● sufficiently screened and trained volunteers are available to safely operate the shelter.

“When funding is uncertain, we have to make difficult choices,” Ra’Vae Moore, executive
director of ACSRC said in a news release. “Room at the Inn has always been a lifeline for individuals who are experiencing homelessness during the coldest months of the year, and while we are not able to open every night in December, we are committed to responding when temperatures reach dangerous levels. Our goal is to continue to work hard to raise enough funds to fully open in January and February, just as we have in past years.”

ACSRC will announce all shelter opening dates and activation notices through the Audrain
County Shelter Resource Coalition’s Facebook page and will share updates with KXEO/KWWR
Radio Station to ensure the community stays informed.

Volunteers Needed

Room at the Inn will depend entirely on community volunteers throughout the month of December.

Individuals, businesses, faith groups, and civic organizations are invited to assist with
operations during December with guest check-in, meal service, hospitality and setup/cleanup.

Training will be provided for volunteers who commit to assisting with operations of Room at the
Inn.

For those who are interested in volunteering with ACSRC, contact Moore at 573-567-5160 or via email at ravae@acsrc.mo.org.

ACSRC will host the Room at the Inn Volunteer Drive for anyone who is interested in learning more about how they can help. The event will run from 1-4 p.m. on Nov. 15, at its headquarters located at 626 E. Summit Street in Mexico.

Training dates for Room at the Inn volunteers are currently scheduled for Nov. 19
from 1-4 p.m., Nov. 20 from 6-9 p.m. and Nov. 22 from 1-4 p.m.

Volunteers are only asked to attend one training session, the release stated. Those who are interested in volunteering but are unable to attend one of the scheduled sessions, may contact ACSRC to set up a date and time that works for them.