Homeless people in Fort Myers. Credit: WINK News The Salvation Army Night Watch team is just one year old, but it’s been working to build trust in the community. Every Tuesday night, it goes to spots where it knows it will find homeless people and gives them a hot meal and coffee, and offers a warm bed to sleep in. This week, those volunteers had the same mission, with an additional 20 beds to fill. Because as Fort Myers residents woke up to temperatures in the low 40s Wednesday morning, countless people around town were sleeping in the cold. Major Carlyle Gargis, area commander for the Salvation Army, says it also gives those who don’t have a home the chance to shower and put on clean clothes, to get a fresh start. “Through that cup of coffee we get to enter into conversation and find out what’s kind of going on with them, what their story is,” Gargis said. “And we have folks on our team that note services of the Salvation Army and we begin to introduce those to them and say ‘Hey, this might be something that may be of interest to you, and I can really maybe help you get to that next level.'” Gargis says their end goal is to help people better their lives. If that means staying at this shelter for a while, then they work with people to help them find affordable houses on their own. Volunteer efforts from Lee County and the Salvation Army happen anytime the area sees temperatures at or below 40 degrees. Since this won’t be the last cold front of the season, the county is asking for your help. “We are seeking donations such as blankets, jackets, gloves, socks, scarves and hats, and they can be dropped off at any of the four county recreation buildings during normal business hours,” said Assistant County Manager Marc Mora.