How the homeless battle the cold

CINCINNATI (Rich Jaffe) -- Knowing that the Tri-State hit record lows Friday, Feb. 20, and more winter weather is taking aim concern is shifting to how Cincinnati's homeless population is dealing with the difficult conditions.Many of the homeless are heading indoors to places like the Drop Inn Center for shelter but many are choosing to remain on the streets. On a daily basis people can find a group of homeless men and women panhandling on the I-71 ramps.Shane Mattingly, his wife, and a couple of other guys have been living for many months under an interstate ramp. They are spending the frigid nights in a second hand tent, under and on top of blankets curled up like it's some kind of nest. A propane tank with a small heater keeps them from freezing.Shane said they survive thanks to, propane heat, the niceness of others, that helps us with being able to get the propane. Afford the propane and every once in a while with the donations we're lucky enough to get a room and that's where we get our showers and stuff. Get a break from the street.Concerned over the welfare of street people like Shane, Matthew 25 Ministries donated more than 1,000 blankets to the Drop Inn Center and City Gospel Mission. Nicknamed ugly blankets, they're 70 percent man-made material, 30 percent wool, and a little rough.But Lee Willis said, They are a tremendous blessing because it shows that somebody out there cares about us enough to bring us blankets so we can protect our bodies and be warm.Willis has been staying at the Drop Inn Center for the last month and a half. Friday, he and others were hard at work unloading those much appreciated donations.Executive director Arlene Nolan said, This is huge and we are always in need of blankets especially bedding. With as many people as we serve every day we're gonna use these blankets and more. If we don't use them all this winter we'll use them next winter.A few weeks ago, battling the cold, there was a fire at a homeless camp near Mitchell Avenue. Another one where Shane stays. But even blankets and warm walls won't bring some of the street people inside according to Shane.He explained, I'm not gonna watch my back all night long, Im not gonna worry about my wife, what's gonna happen to her next? What's gonna happen to me next? I stay away from that even as cold as it is yes.The blankets are available at the Drop Inn Center, and Prince of Peace Church and possibly a few other places. They are clearly much appreciated. Shane said he and the others will remain on the streets and are currently using most of their donations to buy propane.The Drop Inn Center needs specific items on a regular basis. CLICK HERE if you would like to look at what you can donate that would help. Follow Rich Jaffe on Twitter @rajaffe, and LIKE him on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter @Local12 and LIKE us on Facebook for updates!