ANDERSON­ — It was about 15 degrees and getting colder when the Christian Center opened its shelter for dinner a few minutes before the appointed hour on New Year’s Day.

“We let them in a little early because of the cold so they wouldn’t have to stand out there and freeze to death,” said kitchen worker Ron Sorrell as more than 50 men, women and children lined up inside for a hot meal.

With temperatures expected to fall into the single digits overnight Friday and in coming nights, the shelter was nearing capacity. Sorrell said 52 people stayed overnight in the shelter on New Year’s Eve. The shelter can sleep 60 people.

For those who spent New Year’s Eve at the Christian Center, there was a simple celebration: gathering around the television for bowl games, breaking out board games and sharing pizza that residents were able to provide. They stayed up to watch the Times Square ball drop on TV.

“We didn’t have a lot,” Sorrell said, “but we had enough to get by.”

Getting by on New Year’s Day was the order of business for those who partook of a dinner of salad, green beans and macaroni and cheese with ham. Three diners said the center fed them spiritually as well, and gave them hope for a better year ahead.

“There’s a bunch of good guys here trying to find themselves,” Tim Jones said.

“And they need help,” Matthew Stahl interjected. “They’ve fallen on hard times, and there’s a lack of jobs in Anderson.”

“Or they’re just hungry or too cold,” Dwayne Norton said. “They take reasonably good care of us here. I’m grateful for it.”

Those having New Year’s dinner at the shelter said they were fortunate to have someplace to turn to when they found themselves in need. There are few places in Madison County that open their doors to homeless people, and emergency warming shelters typically don’t open until weather conditions become regarded as dangerously cold.

Jones expressed a simple desire for himself in the new year.

“All I want is a job,” he said.

Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com.

---------

Christian Center