The Turlock Salvation Army's overnight warming shelter has opened… sort of.

The shelter, which opens from 10 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. during the coldest months of the year, has operated just four nights since its usual Dec. 11 opening. The shelter was originally unable to open due to a regular volunteer who had fallen ill.

Turlock Salvation Army Major Debi Shrum says that other volunteers keep getting sick, preventing a full-time opening of the warming shelter.

“We have volunteers now, but a few have gotten sick with the flu. With these hours it is hard to get people in to volunteer. But at least we’ve been able to open those nights. It is better than nothing,” she said.

The shelter is in need of additional volunteers to work both the 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. shift and the 2:45 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. shift. Volunteers will supervise up to 20 visitors at a time.

Although volunteers have been inconsistent, Shrum says more donations of blankets, socks, gloves and food and drink items such as hot chocolate and soup have come in during the past week.

To volunteer, call The Salvation Army of Turlock at 209-667-6091.