GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. — The coldest temperatures West Michigan has seen in a few years are approaching.
Mel Trotter is making sure everyone has a warm place to sleep, even in a pandemic. Mel Trotter Vice President of Communications Beth Fisher says they're ready.
“We go into our Code Blue, which means nobody is turned away,” Fisher said.
This time, Code Blue means more spread out shelters. Fisher says the fact that they were able to secure a new location has helped them to not have to turn anyone away due to pandemic restrictions.
There are 425 beds ready to be used between two locations, with all the standard COVID protocols in place.
“For us, even though our weather is going to be extremely cold…not much inside has changed,” Fisher said.
They have a Plan B, too, to make sure no one has to be turned away--even putting people in the cafeteria if they have too. Though Fisher says it's not likely they'll need it, based on numbers from the last Polar Vortex...still, they are ready.
“We will find room, is the answer,” Fisher said.
