Shelter From the Cold

(WOLO) COLUMBIA,S.C., — ” it’s survival, not of the fittest, just survival generally.” Garland Robinson is just one of dozens of people we witnessed pushing their way onto a cramped van in order to get to the city’s inclement weather center. many with all of their belongings in toe and their pride in the wind. ” it’s kind of embarrassing walking around with a cardboard box at night. but what might be trespassing and loitering to you. to some homeless people, this is survival to us.” During this cold snap many of these people who are living on the street are surviving , at least for one night inside a warm shelter. City Manager Teresa Wilson opened the center this weekend and decided to keep the doors open because temperatures were still below 40, the only requirement for the facility to operate. Something some living on the street have mixed feelings about. ” i think it’s a good thing but i think it should be open every night during the winter months. just because it gets to 42 degrees doesn’t mean it’s not cold out here. it’s still uncomfortable.” people don’t want you to sit here or sit there but it’s cold so what do you do.” In this case Kathy Ballew will do what she has to in order to survive the cold which means spending the night here at the Calhoun Street center. Ballew who landed on the street because of having more bills than money, says she’s just thankful to have a safe and warm place to lay her head, even if it’s just for a night. But going with her, the harsh reality that tomorrow she’ll probably be back here on the street. ” I’m 55 years old. It’s not suppose to be this way. it’s not suppose to be this way.”