STROUD TOWNSHIP, PA — Tables fill the fellowship hall inside the Stroudsburg Wesleyan Church in Stroud Township.
But soon, they'll be traded in for cots. When sub-freezing temperatures are in the forecast, the space is used to welcome even more people.
"It's bitter cold out, and there's snow, and safety is one of the priorities. So, we have them inside, and people are preparing meals and dropping them off, and they have a warm place to stay and spend the day, and they're safe," said Teresa Mankin, a pastor and one of the cold weather shelter managers.
The shelter offers more than 50 people a place to stay and sleep.
"So around 25, you see more. Like we'll get 10 to 15 more, so there may be some still sitting outside, and then they had enough, and they'll come in, thank God. They'll start coming in, so it always peaks around now," said Mankin.
With temperatures set to drop into the teens, the shelter manager says she's prepared to welcome even more people into the shelter.
"We have an overflow room in the sanctuary, and we have an overflow room here. Normally, we do have a school during the day, but when the school is closed, we can open up and access the resources in the area," said Mankin.
The shelter is open now through March 31 for anyone in need. Pastor Mankin says no one is turned away.