PROVO, Utah - As winter temperatures drop, the Utah County winter response team is actively seeking additional volunteers to assist at their warming center during the holiday season. Despite a milder winter so far this year, the center has seen a decrease in attendance, averaging around 60 individuals per night compared to 77 last year. Kena Mathews, the housing director for Community Action Services & Food Bank (CASFB), noted the unexpected warmth has contributed to lower numbers at the facility. The warming center, located at 2615 S. State Street, operates nightly from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., but has implemented new safety protocols including on-site security and bag checks. Guests are now required to adhere to a curfew of 11 p.m. The first Code Blue days of the year occurred this past weekend, which is anticipated to increase the number of people seeking shelter. Trace Combs, a case manager at CASFB, emphasized the importance of the center's mission, stating, "There’s a lot going on here, and it feels good to help those people." Combs has previously worked the overnight shift at the center and has dedicated his efforts to helping others find stability. Since October of last year, he reported that 27 individuals have been successfully housed through their services. Combs shared his personal journey, having moved from Wisconsin to Utah with hopes of employment that fell through, leading to a period of homelessness. His experiences have fueled his commitment to assisting those in similar situations. The center relies heavily on community support, particularly from local universities like BYU and UVU; however, volunteer numbers tend to decrease during the holiday season. CASFB is calling on more community members to step forward and provide assistance to those in need. In addition to volunteers, the warming center is requesting donations of blankets to help keep individuals warm this winter. For those interested in volunteering or donating, more information is available on the CASFB website.