The end of March concluded Daviess County’s white flag season. A total of 273 people slept in warm beds instead of out in the cold weather this season which ran from November 1 through March 31.
During a white flag event, participating homeless shelters are requested to place a white flag on their facility’s exterior door, which shall publicly convey that extra bed space may be available.
There were 23 white flag nights compared to the previous year’s total of 32. While there were fewer nights where the shelters were open to everyone, more people took advantage of the service. A total of 273 people found refuge in the shelters compared to last season’s 157.
While more men took shelter during the winter, the number of women and children decreased significantly. No children were reported staying in the shelters during the recent white flag season, where 13 were accounted for during the previous year.
Andy Ball, Director of Daviess County Emergency Management Agency, thanked Harry Pedigo and St. Benedicts for taking the lead during the white flag season.
An average of 11 people stayed at St. Benedicts each night during the winter.
“As a community, the white flag program helps us come together and take care of our brothers and sisters in need,” Ball said. “After all, many of us could only be one poor decision or unforeseen circumstance from being homeless ourselves.”
Ball also thanked Thad Gunderson and the Daniel Pitino Shelter for meals and daytime warming areas, Green River Intra-county Transit System GRITS and Owensboro Transit System for transportation, the Homeless Council of the Ohio Valley and other local shelters for support and coordination, the City of Owensboro and the Daviess County Fiscal Court for white flag funding and all the community for spreading the word and keeping an eye out for residents outside in the elements.
“Though some may debate the government’s involvement with homeless assistance, our White Flag program provides nighttime shelter to those who would otherwise not have a warm place to sleep,” he said. “We are not simply taking care of those who just want a handout, as some may believe. Though there are those who choose this way of life, much of our homeless population have mental and/or physical impairments and limitations. We do not yet have the permanent solution to homelessness, but this is merely one way we can ensure everyone has the opportunity to sleep safe and secure during those bitterly cold nights.”
Overall, permanent shelter was secured for 24 men, 10 women and one couple. Ten men entered into treatment centers and one woman was entered into a personal care home.
Even though winter has ended, local shelters are still in need of donations from the community. For a list of ways to help, visit www.daviessky.org/departments/emergency-management.
