By 7 p.m. Tuesday, Chaplin Lynn Holloway and his friends at the Durham Rescue Mission convinced 18 homeless people to take shelter.

"We offer them coffee, hot chocolate, pastries and then we invite them in," he said, as he packed up food.

With temperatures dipping into the 20s Tuesday, the Mission started its operation called "Warm Shelter." Holloway spearheads it. Within the last two days about 10 people who had no other place to go found shelter.

"We're even asking the public - if you know someone or see someone to call us, let us know where they're located," he said.

Those who volunteer to go help find the homeless know what it feels like to need a place. Some used to be homeless themselves.

"I've been there. I understand how cold it is," one volunteer said as he prepared to hand out fliers near Angier Avenue. "This should be enough convincing here on this piece of paper."

They handed out sheets of paper that detailed the dangers of it getting so cold. In this tough economy, they know some might be looking for help.

"it's a challenge to find work," another volunteer said. "Especially during the winter months. Especially when we're border-lining almost what could be considered a recession."

A 2006 survey by the Triangle United Way showed there were more than 500 homeless people in Durham. More than 60 were children.