Boston's largest homeless shelter not turning anyone away during cold stretch

BOSTON — The biggest homeless shelter in Boston is running through resources in this bitter cold.

Even though the shelter is at capacity and overflowing, they’re not turning anyone away. They’re working around the clock, along with city officials and first responders to keep people off the streets during this extended cold snap.

Lyndia Downey, Executive Director of the Pine Street Inn says they prepare for cold weather, but this many extreme days in a row is straining resources, including beds.

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Across their four locations, they have some 700 beds. They’ve had an excess of 100 people per night for several days.

“People are feeling the stress I think of the cold weather, hard on staff they're all working double shifts, so it's been a very tough week,” said Downey.

Pine Street is even serving lunch, an extra 500 meals a day.

“The guests amaze me with how patient they have been through all of this because it's not ideal for them either,” said Downey.

Since Pine Street is helping additional people and needing staff to work overtime, cash donations are welcomed. They can also use things like hand warmers.

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