STORY COUNTY, Iowa — The Bridge Home is a 16-bed homeless shelter in Ames which is adjusting to help out clients as the weather turns bitter cold.

“Right now we are under our severe weather protocol and basically what that is if it is for us if it is 20° or lower, we implement our severe weather protocol,” said Jodi Stumbo, Director of the Bridge Home. “The shelter is open 24-seven normally during the day from 830 to 4:30 we are closed.”

Under the severe weather protocol, the shelter remains open around the clock during the extreme code.

Sometimes the shelter runs out of room to house all who need shelter, even in the extreme cold. The shelter does what it can to help those who are left out in the cold.

“We were fortunate to get a grant from Cummins that helped us put together winter kits so to speak they have tents in them,” said Stumbo. “They have very heavy-duty sleeping bags as well as other provisions for water, food, and blankets.”

The Bridge Home is building a new shelter building, when it is completed, it will have 40 beds, with room also for several families.