St. Louis opens homeless shelter as cold sets in

ST. LOUIS -- A relatively warm December is coming to an end, and the weather is taking a turn for the cold. As a result, St. Louis officials are opening the city's emergency shelter for the homeless.

The shelter at the 12th and Park Recreation Center near downtown provides sleeping arrangements and hot food for about 150 people -- more if necessary.

Forecasters on Tuesday were calling for an overnight low of 11 degrees -- the lowest reading so far this winter. Eddie Roth, director of human services, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the shelter will remain open through New Year's Eve night.

The rec center was used as a shelter for 51 nights last winter, aiding an average of 126 people per day.