OurCalling looks for help getting people out of the cold: How you can help

DALLAS - The Dallas homeless ministry, OurCalling, is working to get as many people as possible off the streets and into the shelters that nonprofits and the city have opened. 

Our Calling's "Search and Rescue" Mission

What we know:

OurCalling is out on the street looking for people trying to find a place to stay.

Teams fanned out on Thursday, trying to talk to people still out in the elements.

OurCalling workers are experienced with the population.

A man huddled on the church steps wrapped in blankets told Our Calling workers that he did not want to leave just yet but said he'd make his own way there.

Another man accepted their invitation.

There are several others they are trying to reach.

The city’s Office of Homeless Solutions has listed recreation centers that have "cold weather packs" consisting of thinks like blankets, socks, gloves and handwarmers.

By the numbers:

Some 1268 people and 13 pets have been brought in out of the cold so far, being housed at the Austin Street Shelter and two places at Fair Park: Grand Place and the Tower Building.

The three facilities still have plenty of room left, only at 69% capacity.

Animal control says it has responded to 149 calls about pets outside.

What they’re saying: 

"This is a really great opportunity for us because we have people who come in who we would not normally reach who are emergency shelter resistant," said Christine Crossley, Dallas Director for the Office of Homeless Solutions. "We're using this time to really focus on housing as many of them as we can."

"It is dangerous. This is the worst day. It's starting to sleet. It's going to be a lot harder to get to folks that we would normally get to, so we're just going to try to get to as many people as we can before it gets too bad," said Brandon Wallace, the outreach manager for OurCalling.

What they're saying:

"This is a really great opportunity for us because we have people who come in who we would not normally reach who are emergency shelter resistant," said Christine Crossley, Dallas Director for the Office of Homeless Solutions. "We're using this time to really focus on housing as many of them as we can."

"It is dangerous. This is the worst day. It's starting to sleet. It's going to be a lot harder to get to folks that we would normally get to, so we're just going to try to get to as many people as we can before it gets too bad," said Brandon Wallace, the outreach manager for OurCalling.

Helping the Cause

What you can do:

OurCalling is urging people to download the OurCalling app and send them locations where you see unsheltered people fending for themselves. They will send a team to invite them to get out of the cold and get a meal.