By Katie Schubert
Omaha, NE – The Salvation Army's Winter Night Watch program began its 23rd year December first.
Winter Night Watch provides hot meals and winter clothes to Omaha's homeless and near-homeless.
Last year, Winter Night Watch provides 16,500 meals between December first and the end of February. They also handed out more than 8,000 winter items, such as coats and hats.
Salvation Army of Omaha spokeswoman Susan Eustice says they expect that count to rise this year with an expansion of the program. "We're seeing families, families with children, and families that have come to the Omaha area from countries like Guatemala where they never had to worry about winter coats and boots and things for they and their families and their children, and we've seen them come to the unit for help too."
Winter Night Watch is in two locations this year. One canteen runs Monday through Friday from 6 to 9 PM in downtown and eastern Omaha. The second canteen operates Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in south Omaha from six to nine PM, making several stops.
It costs the Salvation Army $50,000 a year to operate Winter Night Watch.