The Warming Shelter to participate in the Siouxland Sleepout for the first time

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The newest organization to the Siouxland Sleepout annual fundraiser is one that's been around for almost a decade.

The Warming Shelter is participating in the Sleepout fundraiser for the first time this year.

It's a place that has become a staple in Siouxland, helping anyone find shelter.

The Warming Shelter was founded nine years ago; although, the Sleepout has been going on for 18 years.

"This is the first time that we've got the opportunity to do so. There's a lot of persistence on the end of our board of directors to get us involved in this and so now that we're included, we're definitely looking forward to it," said Tessa Shanks, Executive Director of the Warming Shelter.

The founders of the Siouxland Sleepout are happy to finally have the shelter on board, calling this the missing piece.

"I feel like we've completed the puzzle, actually, because they serve an area that none of the other agencies really serve and they serve maybe a little more desperate clientele than the other agencies," said Cindy Wood, a co-founder of Siouxland Sleepout. "We just haven't made a connection before this year, but they've come on board and they've added a lot of new energy and we're really excited to have them."

The Warming Shelter's new day shelter served 40 to 50 people daily over the summer.

"During the day they're able to be in out of the elements, which has not been a piece that has been in place for very long," Wood added.

Major expenses for the organization include the upkeep of amenities, like the dorms and laundry.

The Warming Shelter just purchased a new large washer and dryer, a $25,000 investment due to the constant use and constant breaking of the old hardware, while at the same time not charging for these services.

"I mean, on the streets, and obviously they're losing their belongings or maybe they don't even have their own belongings, fresh clothing and hygiene products, those sorts of things. We are bridging the gap by allowing them to use our laundry services to wash the clothes that they have," Shanks explained.

This year The Warming Shelter has seen a 10% increase in utility bills.

Heading into the winter, the organization plans to purchase new mattresses and pillows for the dorms.

"We can sleep 116 individuals in here and that's all fantastic, but there's upkeep with that and essentially the dorms all need replacement vinyl mattresses and replacement, but also a lot of pillows, you know, like vinyl pillows," Shanks said.

As people prepare to sleep outside in cardboard boxes on November 4th, there is one thing to keep in mind.

"It is getting chilly at night when individuals are waiting outdoors in the mornings for us to open. They are chilled and so as it gets closer to the Siouxland Sleepout, it's going to become colder and colder. And remember - our friends that are on the streets and they don't have shelter to sleep in at night," Shanks added.

Registration is open now to sign up to sleep under the stars at Cone Park for the annual sleepout event and experience what some people in this area face on a daily basis.

Click here to register for the 18th annual Siouxland Sleepout.

There are lots of new surprises in store.