EUGENE/SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – Recognizing the dangers of freezing nights, especially for the most vulnerable members of the community, St. Vincent de Paul is taking initiative to make sure no one is left out in the cold.

With Egan Warming Centers open across Eugene and Springfield starting on Tuesday night, St. Vincent de Paul deployed its emergency response team with a roving shuttle patrolling encamped areas and offering free transportation to warming centers. People in need of a ride to warming centers can call White Bird or the CAHOOTS crisis hotline to arrange a pickup.

“We felt confident in testing out a staff-run shelter at two sites whenever degrees are freezing but not quite Egan temperatures,” said Jack Boisen, St. Vincent de Paul’s director of operations, “and so our first activation was actually last night and it just so happens at one site we had about 60 and another site we had 140 so a total of 200 individuals were cared for last night.”

St. Vincent de Paul’s executive director, Bethany Cartledge, said the partnerships with multiple locations to help those in need find a warm spot for the night have proven to be a valuable resource.

“We have current shelters that are in use dawn to dawn, (and) you are able to receive a bed same day,” Cartledge said, “but we won't be able to absorb a hundred additional folks their so when we have these severe weather events. We don't have another building and bring folks in so it's really amazing that we have the partnerships that we do.”

St. Vinnie’s may open their warming centers later this week, depending on the weather. The City of Springfield also said that Lane Transit District provides free rides to these shelters for those in need. Text alerts are available for warming center activations are available by signing up online .