The snowstorms during these final days of skiing are a welcome return to winter for some. But, unlike the winter months, the Aspen Homeless Shelter is no longer open. For those without a home this is the hardest time of year.
The Aspen Homeless Shelter only has the financial resources and available space to run the overnight program during the four coldest months of the year.
“I know my staff is tortured when they have to bid farewell to people at 8 or 8:30 at night and they know they are heading to go sleep outdoors somewhere,” said Vince Savage, executive director of the shelter.
Savage says the the 2015-16 season has been the busiest the organization has seen — with more than 20 overnight clients staying at the shelter on average. The hot evening meals were also so heavily attended that for the first time they have had to reduce portions to have enough to go around. There has also been an uptick in women using the services — a demographic that does not typically use the Aspen Homeless Shelter offerings.
Donations of sleeping bags and blankets are currently being accepted at the shelter.
