With much of southeast Louisiana set to experience a sharp drop in temperatures beginning Sunday night, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is opening up an additional 30 beds at its Baton Rouge homeless shelters.
Executive Director Sunnie Johnson-Lain said the organization typically opens up extra beds when the temperature drops below 39 degrees. St. Vincent de Paul’s local chapter has 200 shelter beds available in Baton Rouge, half of the city’s roughly 400 beds, which also include The Salvation Army and the Iris Domestic Violence Center.
Mason Batts, executive director of the city-parish Mayor-President’s Office, said The Salvation Army, located at 7361 Arline Highway, would also increase bed space if needed. He added that libraries and community centers will be open during business hours for anyone trying to stay warm…