TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung's Social Affairs Bureau sent outreach teams to check on homeless people and seniors living alone as cold weather hit, making more than 500 visits and opening temporary shelters.

CNA reported Thursday that the bureau started early outreach on Dec. 25. Social workers handed out hot food and warm supplies and asked people to move into shelters.

The bureau also opened homeless service centers for short stays and kept space ready for emergency shelter. Staff continued to follow up with people who had refused help before and tried to bring them indoors.

UDN reported Thursday that the city had logged 545 outreach visits, served hot meals 1,302 times, and handed out warm clothing and supplies 313 times. Shelters housed 45 people, while temporary stays were arranged 56 times.

The bureau said it stepped up checks on seniors living alone by calling them and paying visits with community volunteers. Workers told seniors to keep warm, air out rooms, use electricity safely, and watch for breathing or heart problems linked to cold weather.