MILWAUKEE — Temperatures are quickly dropping across Wisconsin in the midst of a global health crisis and the “Street Angels” team will travel around Milwaukee this week on a big mission.

They’re preparing to, again, serve another 500 men and women struggling with homelessness. 

Shelly Sarasin and Eva Welch started the Street Angels outreach, providing items from the trunks of their cars, back in 2016. As cofounders of what’s now a community-funded nonprofit, both know exactly what’s needed to survive a cold night in Wisconsin.

This season, frigid temperatures across the state will come with an added danger. While most congregate warming rooms will remain closed due to social distancing guidelines, COVID-19 restrictions have most shelters already limited to two days a week.

“Packing people in a room this year just is not going to work,” Sarasin said.

Sarasin said that the need for shelter will be greater this season. Street Angels are currently in need of blankets, sleeping bags and gloves. Items and donations can be dropped off at their Milwaukee location at 445 West Oklahoma Ave.

“We make those connections to county housing and 2-1-1 in hopes that we can just keep people alive and make sure that they’re able to survive a Wisconsin winter,” Sarasin said.

For more information, visit https://www.streetangelsmke.org/.