Freezing temperatures and several inches of snow predicted for Tuesday are a combination that should increase the population of Butler County’s only overnight warming center.

However, even during the recent warm spell, the center has seen similar numbers to previous years.

The Winter Relief Center at 100 Center Ave. is in its fifth year, said Bill Halle, founder of the Grace Youth and Family Foundation.

The center opens for overnight stays from Nov. 1 to March 31 every year. So far this season, the center has had more than 500 guest stays, which means the center is on track for the shelter to have similar numbers as last year. From Nov. 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015, the center had 1,654 overnight stays.

However, this year’s numbers do seem high for the “unseasonably warm weather” so far this winter, Halle said.

Sixty eight different people have been using the relief center this year with an average of 12 people staying every night.

The center opens at 8:30 p.m. every day, Halle said.

But individuals cannot simply show up. They first must call the center and go through interviews and criminal background checks, Halle said. Once approved, individuals are given a voucher they use when they arrive at the center every night.

“We provide more than just a cot for them to sleep for the night,” Halle said.

Individuals are given a hot dinner and breakfast the next morning. In some cases, packed lunches can be made for those people who will need them, Halle said. The center also provides some socks, underwear and coats for these individuals, he said.

The center closes by 8 a.m., but there are daytime centers and programs that can help individuals without a place to go. The North Street Christian Church has programming until 2 p.m. and will send transportation to the Winter Relief Center to pick up individuals in the morning, Halle said.

Although some people who stay at the center are employed, others suffer from mental or physical health issues and cannot work, Halle said. The center also helps people who are working but experiencing financial problems and those who have substance abuse problems, he said.

The center has plenty of space to help with families and children, Halle said. The center can accommodate up to 80 individuals at a time.

“Capacity is not a problem,” he said. “Hopefully, we never get to that point.”

While previously funded in part by the county, the center no longer receives money from it after Halle refused to sign a contract because of certain requirements by the county.

Halle said the contract would have removed his organization’s right to faith-based hiring practices, signed over to the county exclusive ownership and copyrights to the program and provided “extensive” auditing access to the county.

In years past, the county funding accounted for roughly half of the center’s $60,000 annual budget, Halle said. For this year the center had to raise the money entirely through donations and fundraising.

Individuals who would like information or to help, can contact the Grace Youth and Family Foundation at 724-282-0507.