With overnight lows expected to get into the 30s over the weekend, area shelters are preparing accommodations for the homeless who might otherwise be out in the elements all night.
The Salvation Army is opening its cold night shelter at 900 W. Adams St. Friday with a hot dinner being served at 6:30 p.m.
After dinner guests will be given a safe and warm place to sleep for the night, and coffee and breakfast in the morning, according to The Salvation Army.
Right now, based on the extended forecast, The Salvation Army envisions keeping the shelter open through Wednesday.
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“Our cold night shelter is an important service that we provide for those who would have a difficult and possibly life-threatening night exposed to low temperatures,” said Major Bert Tanner, Area Commander for Northeast Florida.
“We will all sleep in warm beds tonight, and it’s very important to us at The Salvation Army to make sure those without shelter can too,” Tanner added in an email to WJCT News.
The Salvation Army in Jacksonville opens the cold night shelter when overnight lows dip below 42 degrees.
Those needing shelter in downtown Jacksonville can also head to the City Rescue Mission.
The mission will be extending its space to accommodate up to 100 additional people on Saturday and Sunday nights.
"We want to make sure that Jacksonville citizens without a home have warm shelter and a hot meal," said City Rescue Mission Executive Director Penny Kievet.
The Cold Weather Emergency Shelter is located at the City Rescue Mission’s New Life Inn at 234 W. State Street in Jacksonville.
“We will not turn anyone away," said Jaime Davis, manager of the mission’s emergency services.
Anyone needing overnight shelter on Saturday, Dec. 9 or Sunday, Dec. 10 can check in starting at 2:30 p.m. on those days.
Overnight guests may remain in the building until 10:30 a.m. the following morning or until temperatures rise above 40 degrees.
Additional Information
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
