After two back-to-back storms that left Baltimore struggling under a double layer of snow, several city residents said they were grateful to have access to some basic resources - even if they could not call them their own.

Alvesta Williamson, 41, has been staying at Baltimore's 24-hour shelter for about five months, after a short detour in Oklahoma.

"It could be a lot worse," he said. "People could be on the street."

The city's 24-hour, year-round homeless shelter, which has about 350 beds at 210 Guilford Ave. and an 80-bed overflow location, welcomed anyone who came in through the storm, said Diane Glauber, president of Baltimore Homeless Services.

As a result, by Wednesday night, 467 single men and women sought refuge there, she said.

"We have not turned anyone away," Glauber said. "We're going a little over capacity just because of the difficult conditions.

"We certainly don't want to have anyone die on the streets."

City officials have not reported any deaths from exposure since the first storm began 10 days ago.

Williamson found himself spending more time at the shelter than usual this week. With the buses not running, he was unable to get to his housekeeping job at a Roland Park retirement community. He said that the 24-hour shelter is "a blessing."

Byron Madison, another of the 451 people who stayed in the shelter Thursday, agreed, especially when the temperatures outside are below freezing.

"There's not too many places in Baltimore you can be in on a 24-hour basis," Madison said. Most other shelters require people to leave in the morning, he said.

But with storms as bad as the two that hit Baltimore back to back, "you gotta be somewhere, because you can't be out there," Madison said.

Residents on the floor of the shelter reserved for women also appreciated the chance to stay there.

"You're highly blessed if you have a ceiling over your head," said Anntinett Brown, 53. "You're gonna make it."

Down the street, Catholic Charities' Our Daily Bread gave away 402 meals Wednesday. About 400 came for meals on Thursday and Friday as well, said Catholic Charities spokeswoman Renee Johnson. The center, which has served food daily since it opened in 1981, normally gives away 700 to 800 meals, Johnson said.

The people who came for their meals braved rough conditions, perhaps for good reason. "For a lot of people, this is their only meal of the day," Johnson said.

But scheduled volunteers have also had a tough time reaching Our Daily Bread, Johnson said, so the center is looking for volunteers to take their place.

Baltimore Homeless Services has had its troubles, too. City workers had brought extra food from the nearby Our Daily Bread Employment Center on Wednesday, but those deliveries stopped when conditions became too hazardous and drivers were ordered off the road, Glauber said.

"They had to make do with soup and cereal," she said.

Buses to the overflow site had to stop running as well, so there were more people at the main shelter than usual, said shelter manager Milton Johnson.

Nonetheless, Brown was thankful for the shelter and its workers, who put in long hours.

"In the middle of the double shifts, they've been some wonderful people here," she said.

Elaina Hairsine, 28, said she usually prefers to stay outdoors, where it's easier to sleep without other residents bickering. "You gotta make exceptions sometimes," she said.

Hairsine said she spent the Dec. 20 storm under the Interstate 83 bridge. "That was terrible," she said. Snow accumulated on her tent, and it slid downhill.

But she and Anesta Williams, 22, said that the shelter was nice, with helpful staff who made sure they had enough supplies like blankets.

"When is summer going to come?" Hairsine asked, as she headed outside.

"It's around the corner," Williams said.

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