Perhaps fitting for Christmas, a cold front is expected to bring down temperatures across the Tampa Bay area to 40 degrees or lower, according to the National Weather Service.
Because of this, cold weather shelters will open in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Hernando, Pasco and Sarasota counties to allow people experiencing homelessness to stay warm.
Hernando County
Individuals needing to seek shelter from the cold can contact Jericho Road Ministries for assistance. Social distancing and other COVID-19 safety measures will be implemented at open shelters.
Men’s Shelter
1090 Mondon Hill Road
Brooksville, FL 34605
Phone: (352) 799-2912 ext.103
Women’s Shelter ‘Mary’s House’
1163 Howell Avenue
Brooksville, FL 34601
Phone: (352) 799-2912 ext.109
Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County says shelters will be open with limited capacity from Thursday through Saturday.
Those living in Hillsborough County can go to a congregate shelter or get a three-night voucher at a motel for Thursday through Saturday. The voucher requires pre-registration and a state ID. And, it's first come, first served.
To get a three-night motel voucher, supplied by Metropolitan Ministries, you'll need to call the following numbers and pre-register before 5 p.m. on Dec. 24:
- Families and individuals can call 813-209-1176
- Plant City residents should call 813-652-8144
Amazing Love Ministries is opening a limited capacity shelter. It is located at 3304 E. Columbus Drive in Tampa. It will open at 6 p.m. all three days.
Because of COVID-19, everyone who comes to the shelter will be screened upon entry and everyone, including volunteers, will be required to wear a face covering while inside. If you don't have one, one will be given to you.
Dinner and breakfast will be served in single-service containers, the county says.
Also, if organizations are interested in hosting a cold weather shelter, they can contact Julie Watkinson, Community Relations Coordinator, at 813-276-2677 for more information.
You can get more information at the county's website here.
Pasco County
Cold weather shelters in Pasco County will open Christmas Day. Shelters will open at 5 p.m. Dec. 25 and close at 8 a.m. Dec. 26.
West Pasco: Call Metropolitan Ministries at 813.209.4860 before 8 p.m. Friday.
East Pasco: Call Restored Hope at 352.437.4815 before 6 p.m. Friday.
Pinellas County
Cold weather shelters will open in Pinellas County for two days starting Christmas night for those experiencing homelessness who need a warm place to stay.
Most shelters will open around 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 25, and Saturday, Dec. 26, and remain open until about 6 a.m. the following mornings.
Guests at the shelter will be given a hot evening meal and breakfast the following morning.
Depending on weather conditions, shelters may be open additional nights, and guests will be informed if so.
Here are the shelters open across Pinellas County for adults:
Clearwater
MLK Jr Neighborhood Center
1201 Douglas Ave
Clearwater, FL 33755
(813) 951-5632
Note: This shelter opens at 8 p.m.
Pinellas Park
Boy and Girls Club of the Suncoast in Pinellas Park
7709 61st Street N.
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
(727) 547-5437
St. Petersburg
Northwest Presbyterian Church
6330 54th Avenue N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33706
(727) 544-4551
The Turning Point
1810 5th Avenue N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33713
(727) 823-7811
Salvation Army
1400 4th Street S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
(727) 822-4954
Tarpon Springs
Boys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs
111 W. Lime Street
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 937-6837
Families who need a place to stay should call 211 to be placed in a family shelter during the cold nights.
Under current county COVID-19 restrictions, face masks are required indoors.
For information about volunteering, visit the county's website here.
Sarasota County
Sarasota County Emergency Management says it will open a cold weather shelter Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 because of the expected drop in temperatures.
The Salvation Army Center of Hope on 1400 10th St. in Sarasota will begin intake at 7 p.m.
On Christmas Eve, dinner will be served at 5 p.m. and breakfast will be at 5:30 a.m.
On Christmas, a Christmas meal will be served between 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. and breakfast will be served at 5:30 a.m. the following morning.
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