'No space to go': Nonprofits distribute resources to unsheltered people ahead of cold weekend

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS58) -- For some people, spending the winter outdoors is the only option they have. Street Angels's Executive Director Eva Welsh witnesses that reality every day. 

“From 2022 to 2023, Street Angels experienced a 54% increase in the number of people that we were able to verify as unsheltered in Milwaukee County," said Welsh.

One snowstorm may be over, but Street Angels is already preparing for the next one. 

“The majority, 95% of the people we’ve seen last night don’t have a place to go. They’re in tents, under bridges, in vehicles," said Welsh. 

That's why Welsh, along with other volunteers are distributing items like coats, boots, and survival gear for people who may be outside during this weekend's dangerously low temperatures. She says volunteers will be working the next two days to make sure people have the items they need. 

“I don’t think people understand that for a lot of them, there is no space to go," said Welsh. 

She's not the only one. Ralph Zick with the Hope Center in Waukesha says it's important to support all community members. 

“We will usually have coming through here, 120 people a day," Zick said. “You feel a deep hurt because nobody should live without a place of shelter and comfort.”

Welsh says while Street Angels is making sure people have the items they need this weekend to survive the cold, she says this is a temporary solution to a bigger problem. 

"We’re lacking resources, we’re lacking affordable housing, we’re lacking shelter space and we’re literally leaving people outside," said Welsh.