Before the sun began to set and the temperature outside took a plunge, Pastor Bill Reagan, Director for the Loaves and Fishes shelter in Harlingen, hit the streets to warn people who live in an area known as "Tent City" that help is available.

"Our shelter's open tonight," he said to one man.  "It's going to be cold."

Half the Valley was under a freeze warning Friday night.

Temperatures that low are dangerous, especially for homeless people sleeping on the street or in tents without much protection.

"These tents are very flimsy... and it's going to be very cold tonight," Pastor Reagan said. 

"The wind is gonna blow hard and there's going to be a wind chill factor on top of that."

About 20 people call "Tent City" home.

It's located just a few blocks away from the Loaves and Fishes Shelter that Reagan runs.

"It's heartbreaking for me," he said.

The National Coalition for the Homeless reports about 700 deaths annually from hypothermia. 

It's a condition where the body's temperature falls below 95 degrees. 

Hypothermia can set in when temperatures outside are as high as 50 degrees, according to statistics from the coalition’s website.

"I think it's just all the more reason why we need to be reaching out to folks like the folks staying at 'Tent City,'" Reagan said.
Abel Martinez has been living here for two months.

Action 4 News first introduced Martinez just before the holiday.

This will be his first taste of a cruel, dark and cold night.

"I think I'm ready," Martinez said about the impending freeze.

As is often the case with people who live on the streets, pride stands in the way of help for most of them. 

Reagan said he can only extend his hand and hope that once the sun goes down people will know where to go to stay warm.

The Loaves and Fishes Shelter is located on 514 South "E" Street in Harlingen. 

Hours of operation are extended during periods of cold weather.