LEXINGTON, Ky. – As temperatures begin to drop, the Catholic Action Center is taking action to support the city’s homeless population. In partnership with Lexington’s Emergency Disaster Services (EDS), the center is working to address the urgent need for winter shelter amidst a growing crisis.
According to the center’s recent street survey, approximately 500 individuals are currently living on the streets of Lexington, highlighting the scale of the homelessness issue that the community faces as winter approaches. While the winter hotel program designed to provide shelter does not commence until November 1st, the plummeting temperatures are already posing serious health risks for those without homes.
“We’re talking about a lot of folks out there who are suffering. This cold is devastating for many of them,” said Ginny Ramsey, Director and Co-founder of the Catholic Action Center.
In response to the impending crisis, EDS has mobilized resources to help alleviate the suffering. After returning from hurricane relief efforts in Georgia, EDS received a generous donation from Lundy’s Catering, which provided a packed box truck full of leftover bed kits. These kits included sleeping bags, cold weather gear, and sleeping mats originally intended for individuals working at Hurricane Helene base camps.
“After a certain period, those bed kits become unusable for the original clients, so we can repurpose them and extend their benefit to those in need,” explained Matt Daley, EDS’s Director of Communications and Logistics.
The Catholic Action Center has quickly distributed more than 600 bed mats from this donation, partnering with other organizations to broaden the distribution. “There’s still inventory in that truck,” Ramsey noted. She emphasized that the timing of this donation coincides perfectly with increased demand as local shelters are reaching capacity.
“The idea is to provide some relief and warmth, while also reminding those affected that they are cared for,” Ramsey added.
Over the coming week, the center plans to distribute these winter items at their Dignity Station locations. The items will be available on Tuesday at the Lexington Rescue Mission and on Thursday at Goodwill on New Circle and Limestone, operating between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day. Additionally, the center will implement a Compassionate Caravan to reach even more individuals in need.
As winter approaches, community efforts are vital to ensuring that Lexington’s vulnerable populations receive the necessary support and resources to remain safe and warm during the harsh months ahead.
