Life or death: Nonprofit works to keep Des Moines' homeless warm during bitter temperatures

Bitter cold temperatures in Iowa are creating dangerous situations for those living without a roof over their head. Joppa, a Des Moines nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless people survive, find housing and rebuild their lives, has staff and volunteers working hard to keep people warm. "We go out to them, we deliver heaters, we make sure their tents and all of their equipment is working," Joppa Communications and Events Director Kayla Choate said. "We do everything we can to keep them from freezing to death." Right now, Joppa has more than 200 heaters in the field. Last year, there were fewer than 150 out. "We are seeing homelessness increase, especially first-time homelessness, due to the pandemic," Choate said. Full story: https://www.weareiowa.com/article/new... Subscribe to Local 5 on YouTube:    / weareiowalocal5news   Download the We Are Iowa app: https://weareiowa.com/app Get Local 5’s "5 Things to Know" newsletter in your inbox: https://weareiowa.com/email 'Like' Local 5 on Facebook:   / weareiowa   Follow Local 5 on Twitter:   / weareiowa5news   Follow Local 5 on Instagram:   / weareiowa