St. Pete Standard

Cold night shelters in St. Pete will be open on Tuesday night, Dec. 19, the Homeless Leadership Alliance has announced. The shelters will open at the times shown below. Shelter guests are accepted until the shelter is full. All sites provide a warm and safe place to sleep, and many sites also serve a meal. Shelters are activated when the National Weather Service expects the “feels like” temperature to hit 40 degrees or below across the county between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The following cold weather shelters in St. Pete are available to adult men and women:

- Allendale United Methodist Church

Address: 3803 Haines Rd. N.

Hours: 6 p.m. – 6 a.m.

- Northwest Presbyterian Church

Address: 6330 54th Ave. N.

Hours: 6 p.m. – 6 a.m.

- Salvation Army

Address: 1400 4th St. S.

Hours: 6 p.m. – 7:30 a.m.

- Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg

Address: 100 Mirror Lake Dr. N.

Hours: 6 p.m. – 6 a.m.

Please Note: This location requires the use of stairs

- WestCare Turning Point

Address: 1810 5th Ave. N.

Hours: 6 p.m. – 6 a.m.

Families with children will be placed in family shelters on cold nights (if space is available). Families should call 2-1-1, Tampa Bay Cares, Inc., for information about family shelters.

According to the Homeless Leadership Alliance, the activation of these cold night shelters is crucial to ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness have a warm and safe place to sleep during the frigid temperatures. Fred Johnson, the executive director of the Homeless Leadership Alliance, emphasizes the importance of these shelters, stating, "Our goal is to provide a refuge for those in need and prevent any cold-related injuries or fatalities."

To support the Cold Night Shelter Program, community members are encouraged to volunteer or donate. More information on how to get involved can be found at www.PinellasHomeless.org/coldnightshelters. By contributing to this program, individuals can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing homelessness in St. Pete.

As the cold weather continues, it is essential to prioritize the well-being of our community members who are most vulnerable. The activation of these cold night shelters in St. Pete is a testament to the city's commitment to ensuring that no one is left out in the cold.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.stpete.org/news_detail_T30_R850.php