Homeless overflow shelter already busy

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- Homeless advocates in Wichita say use of an overflow homeless shelter is already more than expected, raising concern about high demand for shelters during the upcoming winter.

The Warming Souls Winter Overflow Shelter opened Sunday night at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Organizers had expected 15 to 20 people, but 36 showed up.

Sandy Swank, director of Inter-Faith Ministries, says the group is already getting several calls from people wondering if the shelter was open. And she noted that it hasn't even been very cold yet this year.

The shelter averaged 72 people a night last winter, increasing to 130 on especially cold nights. Local providers for the poor and homeless say they are concerned the numbers will be higher this winter because of high unemployment and the sluggish economy.

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Information from: The Wichita Eagle, http://www.kansas.com