Warming Centers Open As Freezing Temperatures Hit Valley

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – The heaters are on full blast and the steam is rising, but you don't have to go to Sacramento's Winter Wonderland to feel the bitter cold.

Temperatures are dropping as people prepare for the Freeze Warning that goes into effect at 1 a.m. Warming centers across Sacramento have opened as a big chill coats the valley.

Two ladies we spoke to are serving the homeless community out of their trunk.

"We just see homeless sleep on the street and we want to bring some food to feed them, keep them warm," Mui Nugyen said.

She brought buckets of warm food Nugyen and her friend cooked at home.

"Only home cooking, no community, no church, no temple," Nugyen said.

They feed the needy twice of week on their own going from shelter to shelter, addressing the growing need.

And with icy weather moving in, they're not alone.

"It can get very bad," said Tracy Young with Sacramento Steps Forward.

Young is at Loaves and Fishes making sure these folks have a place to go when the temperature dips to record lows.

"They're going to come inside, we're going to give them sleeping bags. We'll wait for the buses to show up and we're going to bus them to a location where they'll be fed," Young said.

Down the street at the Urban Gospel Mission, we bumped into these ladies again feeding a new crowd as they wait for this warming center to open.

Another place to get to get through the night and enjoy a hot beverage, because sometimes that's all it takes.