The cold weather Monday night is one of the reasons additional warming shelters needed to be opened up throughout the city.
On nights like Monday, when the temperatures dip down and its below the freezing mark, over flow shelters have proven to be additional help to those in need.
This year, four churches have signed on to help out the over-populated main shelters in the city of Erie. On Monday, St. John's Lutheran Church, opened their doors to those needed a warm bed and hot meal.
Bob Schell, Overflow Shelter Coordinator, says he knew there would be a need for these shelters this winter after visiting and speaking with those at Tent City over the summer.
"Everyone of us just have a feeling of, what would Jesus do?" said Schell. "He would help those in need, especially in this kind of weather conditions we're having tonight."
Schell said that nights like Monday, when it is too cold to be outside, is the main reason he wanted more space for people to stay.
Jerry Lee Moore, who stayed at the shelter Monday night, said not many cities have something like this, and he's grateful to have a place to go.
"I'd definitely be out in the cold," said Moore. "Its a great thing that there's a place to go to, to hang your head and have a little something to eat."
Since they opened their doors in November, over 1,000 people have stayed at the overflow shelters.
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