birdchick and the shelters

via birdchick: now that's a proper minnesota approach to brisk weather. contrary to popular belief, hats and gloves are permitted at the uggen house, as long as we're below -20 fahrenheit. still, none of us buy into that whole "frostbite" myth.

like birdchick, my family cheerfully revels in a couple weeks of bracing cold weather each year. runners from warmer climates think i'm joking when i tell them my water bottle freezes solid. of course, while we might run or work in such weather, none of us have to sleep in it. and even at 20 below, they've gotta hold lotteries for beds at minneapolis' st. stephen's shelter. what does it feel like to be shown the door when it is 50 degrees colder outside than the average freezer? i can't imagine, but here's how our local fox9 describes it:

It's a Monday night ritual at Simpson Church, a kind of homeless bingo. The lottery serves two other church shelters, each with about 40 mats. All three are at capacity. Tonight, only 13 beds are available, and more than 40 people are looking for a place to sleep. For those who aren't called, you can see the disappointment on their faces -- Where do I go on a night like tonight?

if you've ever wanted to make a tangible difference in someone's life, this isn't a bad night to slip a twenty to the man or woman on the corner.