With most of the area under a winter weather advisory, Janesville's rotating men's shelter geared up for a full house Thursday night.

Volunteers at Cargill United Methodist Church said they have been preparing for an increased need in shelter for Janesville's homeless men.

This week, Cargill United Methodist Church is hosting the city's rotating shelter program, known as GIFTS. The program runs October through April.

"I expect all of the 30 here last night to be here," said Leslie Delo, the GIFTS coordinator at Cargill.

Since 2007, area churches have been providing meals and shelter for about 25 men a week. Delo said they are going to need more bunks.

"With the number of job losses we've had here in the state of Wisconsin, the demand for help is much greater than it was even a few years ago. In our program alone, here at this church, we've had five new individuals come in during the last three days," Delo said.

"I'm just really proud of Janesville and all of the churches involved in this," said volunteer David Kemp.

Kemp is one of more than a dozen volunteers. He spends the night at the church with the men, and said that volunteering gives him an opportunity to help his fellow neighbors.

"I come earlier than I need to be to be able to meet the men when they come in and have a meal with them and get to know them," Kemp said.

Delo said the good news is that most of the men they are serving this year are new faces, meaning many of those they served last year have found housing.

He said he remains optimistic that need for the program will decrease as the economy gets better.

"Everybody is trying to expand and find places to put them when they come in so that you don't have anybody that has to stay out in the cold," Delo said.

Cargill Methodist Church will host the GIFTS program the rest of this week. Volunteers are also collecting gently used coats, work boots and other items to help the men brave the cold during the day.

For more information on the program, go to http://www.gifts-shelter.org.