Red Cross, Salvation Army not yet needing help at warming centers

The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have adequate resources to handle the needs of people at the warming centers set up in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, directors of the local aid agencies said this morning.

Both Cheryl Klueppel, executive director of the American Red Cross Southeast Missouri Chapter and Maj. Ben Stillwell of the Salvation Army Center in Cape Girardeau said they are able to provide for the immediate needs of people seeking shelter.

The situation may change if the warming centers become overnight shelters, Klueppel said. But as of 8:30 a.m., she said, people should stay home if possible and avoid the trecherous driving conditions.

"At this time. they are just warming centers, they are facilities where people can get out of the cold and have a safe warm place to go," Klueppel said. "We have not designated them as shelters at this time."

Klueppel did recommend that anyone needing the shelters bring snacks, bottled water or other beverages and medicines.

The Salvation Army is ready to feed anyone at its center from its food pantry, Stillwell said. "We have put some soup on and we have the ability to have a meal of some sort."

The Salvation Army will be open until at least 9 p.m., he said.

The warming centers in each city are:

The Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau, 1625 N. Kingshighway. The center opened at 7:45 a.m.

The Salvation Army at 701 Good Hope St. in Cape Girardeau. The center opened at 8:15 a.m.

The Arena Building, 401 Kiwanis Drive, opened at 8:15 a.m.

The Bavarian Halle, 6155 Highway 61 N. in Fruitland.

Immaculate Conception School at the intersection of Hope Street and E. Madison Street in Jackson.

Crossroads church, 4400 E. Jackson Blvd. in Jackson.

For updates, check back at www.semissourian.com or read Wednesday's Southeast Missourian.