LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The preparations for moving Lexington's homeless before this week's ice storm began over the weekend at the Catholic Action Center (CAC).
"The biggest preparation we made was last weekend going out and getting folks off the streets and out of the camps," CAC Co-founder Ginny Ramsey explained. "We ended up getting 91 people who we have in motels because we could not add them to the population of the Catholic Action Center due to COVID. We are maintaining our COVID protocols, very tightly, but we were able to get 91 folks who will be in shelter for several weeks, looking at the weather."
For 21 years the CAC has served the Lexington community as a community-funded organization. Ramsey said COVID measures made them get creative but, they are serving 247 individuals as of Wednesday mid-day which is on-track with "the polar vortex...the numbers that we cared for [then] were between 230 and 250."
As the worst of the storm looms, Ramsey asked for prayers.
"I think everyone needs to remember how critical this is and if people don't have home how unbelievable unbelievably critical it is that we get them in," Ramsey pleaded. "Check on your neighbors...Because during this time, you know, the most vulnerable are the ones who will be the most impacted and many of our folks who...call the streets their home are the most vulnerable in our community."
The CAC is at capacity but will have less than 10 spots opening on Friday between 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. Ramsey encourages anyone who sees someone on the street to call 911. She said the police will help them find a place to stay warm.
To donate to the CAC to help them keep rooms open at motels and keep food available, visit their website www.catholicactioncenter.net and make a donation marked 'winter care.'
