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Salvation Army offering rides to warming shelters for Spokane's homeless population

The Salvation Army runs two street level vans 24 hours a day, looking for homeless men and women and offering them rides to safer, warmer places.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Snow covered roads are not stopping the Salvation Army from driving people they find on the street to warming centers.

The Salvation Army runs two street level vans 24 hours a day, looking for homeless men and women and offering them rides to safer, warmer places.

"Street level is exactly what it sounds like," Salvation Army captain David Cain said. "This is our opportunity to meet folks exactly where they are. It doesn't even have to be a Salvation Army shelter. There are even some folks that we are taking to their family members. Just making sure they are safe and don't freeze to death. 

KREM 2 followed along Thursday night as driver Roy Garcia looked for people in need of a warm place to spend the night. 

"Anywhere there is homeless people, I go," Garcia said.

Sometimes, that means Cheney or Airway Heights. Garcia said the hardest part of his job is leaving people who refuse help. He spends a lot of time convincing them and building relationships.

"A simple hand warmer goes a long way out here in the freezing cold," Garcia said.

He stopped to help one woman near Second and Division. She took some hand warmers, but wouldn't let Garcia take her to a shelter.

Then, just around the corner, a group of three took Garcia up on his offer.

A short drive to the Cannon shelter means they won't be spending the night outside in the freezing cold. 

"I love helping them," Garcia said. "That's why I do what I do because I'm out here because I care. I don't want them freezing." 

Anyone who needs a ride to a shelter or warming center can call (509)-824-1415

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