Emergency cold shelters have opened up across Tampa Bay as temperatures fall to near freezing throughout the week.
More than a dozen people sought shelter from the cold on Monday night at the Tampa Salvation Army on Florida Avenue.
Christopher Leach is an area resident who is currently homeless. Rather than sleeping under the Selmon Expressway, he got a warm bed and a meal.
"For me, it just gave me an opportunity to keep going and not to really give up -- still seek shelter, seek help from someone," he said.
Cold shelters are open to those who are homeless or live in housing without proper heating.
Kelly Garrett, director of social services at the Tampa Salvation Army, said many shelters are increasing their bed capacity in response to the first cold snap of the year. People who decide to come to the shelter this week will also be offered continuing access to social services.
“Many times we are able to connect with them in this way and see that there is in fact a longer term need they are looking for,” Garrett said.
More than a half dozen shelters have opened up in Hillsborough County and will remain open through at least Thursday night.
Here is a county-by-county list of open shelters:
Hillsborough County
Brandon Community Center, 510 E. Sadie St. in Brandon
Opens at 6 p.m. for individuals and families
Phone: (813) 635-8179
Jackson Springs Recreation Center, 8620 Jackson Springs Road in Town 'N Country
Opens at 6 p.m. for individuals and families
Phone: (813) 554-5004
Hands of Hope Outreach at New Hope @ the Cornerstone, 310 N. Collins St. in Plant City
Opens at 6 p.m. for individuals and families
Phone: (813) 323-4013
Wimauma Senior Center, 5714 North St. in Wimauma
Opens at 6 p.m. for individuals and families
Phone: (813) 671-7672
Salvation Army, 1514 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa
Open now for adults
After hours phone: (813) 226-0055
Metropolitan Ministries, 2106 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa
This location is where families go for motel vouchers before 5 p.m.
After hours phone: (813) 209-1077
Pinellas County
Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church, 110 S. Ft. Harrison Avenue in Clearwater
Phone: (727) 446-3001
Note: This shelter opens at 5 p.m.
Northwest Presbyterian Church, 6330 54th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg
Phone: (727) 544-4551
Salvation Army, St. Petersburg
Phone: (727) 822-4954
The Turning Point, 1810 5th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg
Phone: (727) 823-7811
Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast, 7790 61st St. N. in Pinellas Park
Phone: (727) 547-5437
First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs, 501 E. Tarpon Ave.
Phone: (727) 937-3271
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
Families will be placed in family shelters on cold nights. Families should call 2-1-1 to make these arrangements.
Pasco County
East Pasco
Restored Hope, 13703 17th St in Dade City
Phone: (352) 437-4815 before 6:00 p.m. daily.
Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills, 5722 8th St. in Zephyrhills
Phone: (813) 810-8670 before 9:00 p.m. daily.
Hernando County
Individuals that need to seek shelter from the cold may contact Jericho Road Ministries for assistance.
Men's Shelter, 1090 Mondon Hill Road in Brooksville
Phone: (352) 799-2912 ext.103
Women's Shelter Mary's House, 1163 Howell Avenue in Brooksville
Phone: (352) 799-2912 ext.109
Sarasota County
North County
Salvation Army - Center of Hope, 1400 10th St. in Sarasota
Front porch opening at 4 p.m., with intake expected to begin at 6:30 p.m.; the front porch will re-open at 4:30 a.m. and remain open until 5 a.m., when the welcome center opens.
South County
Grace United Methodist Church, 400 E. Field Ave. in Venice, will open at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. A hot meal will be provided.
New Hope Community Church, 5600 S. Biscayne Dr. in North Port, will open at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday and 7 p.m. Thursday.
Manatee County
Salvation Army, 1204 14th St. W. in Bradenton
Opens at 6 p.m.
Polk County
The Talbot House at 814 N. Kentucky Ave. and Lighthouse Ministries at 215 E. Magnolia St. in Lakeland are accepting those who need to shelter themselves from the winter weather. The Salvation Army of West Polk is preparing to assist as well.
