By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – Following a sharp temperature drop in the past few weeks, the Salvation Army’s Safe Harbor in Bloomington has filled all the beds it has available for the area’s homeless.

Salvation Army social service director Gaby Bontea explained the beds hit capacity so quickly because of the frigid temperatures.

“All of our beds are at capacity,” Bontea said. “So we probably have 30 to 35 more people in our residence.”

Bontea explained the shelter opened its doors a few weeks earlier than usual due to sub-zero temperatures, resulting in beds filling up faster than usual.

“Typically we would see an increase in our numbers in the January time frame, but this year we started off with opening our doors with a high number,” Bontea said.

Bontea noted while people usually have a time limit of eight weeks in the shelter, during winter they are welcome to stay until spring. She also said the shelter has enough blankets to go around, but could use more personal hygiene products.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].