TAMPA, Fla. — Due to cold temperatures overnight, several cold weather shelters are opening in the Bay area.
CITRUS COUNTY
A cold weather shelter is opening Wednesday night in Citrus County due to low overnight temperatures.
Temperatures are expected to drop to around 33 degrees.
The Salvation Army is opening a shelter located at 712 S. School Avenue in Lecanto from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Anyone in need of going to the cold weather shelter can go to any Citrus County bus stop at the last pickup time, and the driver will drop you off at the Salvation Army at no cost.
You will be picked up the next morning and taken back to the same area.
Anyone with questions can call the Salvation Army at 352-513-4960.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Hillsborough County cold weather shelters will open tonight, Wednesday, Jan. 9, for the homeless and for those who live in homes without adequate heat.
Pets also are welcome at the Jackson Springs shelter location.
Individuals, including pet owners, who need transportation to a cold weather shelter should call the Hillsborough County Sunshine Line to arrange a ride at (813) 272-7272 from 4 p.m. until shelters reach capacity or until 7 p.m., whichever occurs first. Officials recommend calling for a ride only if you are stranded in the cold weather, or live in a home without adequate heat and are physically unable to get to a shelter.
Hillsborough County partners with the following organizations to provide cold weather shelters:
-Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 500 W. Platt St. in Tampa
Location opens at 6:30 p.m. for adults
Phone: (813) 253-5388
-Covenant Family Church, 6321 U.S. 301 S. in Riverview
Opening at 6 p.m. as a shelter for adults
Phone: (813) 716-3996
-Jackson Springs Recreation Center, 8620 Jackson Springs Road in Town 'N Country
Opens at 6 p.m. for adults and their pets
Phone: (813) 554-5004
-Wimauma Senior Center, 5714 North St. in Wimauma
Opens at 6 p.m. for adults
Phone: (813) 671-7672
-Metropolitan Ministries, 2106 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa
Opening its gym today at 6 p.m. for families and single women. Guests should enter off Tampa Street on the south side of the building. This shelter is in place of providing motel vouchers for families.
After-hours phone: (813) 209-1077
-Salvation Army, 1514 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa
Location available for adults
After-hours phone: (813) 226-0055
A limited quantity of pet supplies will be available at the pet-friendly shelter. All pets must be leashed, and pet owners are strongly encouraged to bring their own crates, food, blankets, and any medication for their pets.
If an organization is interested in hosting a cold weather shelter or volunteering at a shelter this season, contact Julie Watkinson, Community Relations Coordinator, at (813) 276-2677 for more information.
All cold weather shelters are also accepting donations, such as: hats, gloves, scarves, socks, disinfectant wipes and spray, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, disposable cups, coffee, creamer, paper plates, paper towels, plastic utensils, sugar, bottled water, and breakfast/protein bars.
MANATEE COUNTY
With local temperatures dropping into the 40s tonight, Manatee County's Emergency Management Division has coordinated with The Salvation Army to open cold weather shelter space tonight at their Manatee County location at 1204 14th St. W., Bradenton.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and there will be space for an additional 60 people.
In addition to their daily sheltering program during regular and high temperatures, the Salvation Army provides cold weather shelter for Manatee County’s homeless. They monitor the weather for expected drops in temperature and prepare extra bedding to increase their sheltering capacity.
Call (941) 748-4501 for more information.