I would like to thank all of the agencies that opened their doors to the homeless during the recent bout of cold weather. I would like to give a special thanks to Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House Continuum of Life Center, which stayed open 24 hours for several days and nights to serve homeless men, and made food and showers available to them.

The street ministry of Lessie Bates also went out into the communities and checked on those who would not come into the shelters to make sure that they had hot drinks and were OK.

The center at St. Vincent de Paul's Cosgrove's Kitchen made a special effort to stay open longer hours and make sure that hot meals were available as well as to provide a warming center for those out in the cold.

Additionally, kudos to the shelters: Eagles' Nest, Family Living Center, Call for Help, Holy Angels, Opal's House and Women's Crisis Center. All of the agencies that provided motel and rental assistance deserve a hand as well.

Although more shelters and services are always needed, I think that a great job was done with the limited resources and funds available because of all of the agencies networking together to serve as many people as possible.

Thank you to the Homeless Action Council for sponsoring a day for the homeless, making services available and informing them of the resources in their communities.

Thanks to all of the agencies and individuals for their support of the homeless during these hard times.

Joe Hubbard

Belleville