Salvation Army Partners With City To Set Up Emergency Shelters For Homeless Women

DENVER (CBS4) - Peggy Blackwell spent sundown looking for a place to stay. Every night, it's a challenge to find somewhere warm and safe.

"Before it got cold, I tried to find shelter on a daily basis," the homeless Denver woman said.

In Denver, there are more homeless women than there are shelters for them to stay.

"I just left St. Francis and I just walked over here," Blackwell said.

Search and rescue teams with the Salvation Army found dozens of women staying out in the cold the last two nights. It's partnering with the city of Denver and St. Francis Center to provide safe lodging for homeless women through Friday.

On Wednesday, volunteers poured in food and warm clothes, including socks and gloves to help people survive this cold snap.

At a rec center in Denver, nearly 40 beds were set up Wednesday evening into an overflow shelter where homeless women can stay until Friday.

"Some don't know where to go because there is no place to go for women, so that's why we decided to open up,"

The city was as unprepared for the cold as many homeless people. Nearly every shelter is full. The Salvation Army says more emergency shelters need to be planned now.