When temperature drops, cold-weather shelters open

Serving homeless and those with inadequate heat in homes

By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

Photo from Metropolitan Ministries Facebook
Volunteers from Tampa’s Metropolitan Ministries work daily to feed the homeless in the region. It also provides motel vouchers for the homeless and people who don’t have enough heat in their homes when the temperature drops below 40 degrees.

Hillsborough County has already given the go-ahead twice this chilly season to announce the opening of the cold-weather shelters across the county for the homeless and those that don’t have sufficient heating in their houses.

For the most part, though, it is a community effort that costs money and volunteer time.

Various shelters throughout the area this year could use donations to meet the need, in the form of socks, deodorant, hats, gloves and toothbrushes. They could also use coffee, creamer, paper plates, disinfectant wipes and sprays. And this year, they are adding bottled water and breakfast bars people can take with them in the early morning hours when they must clear out.

There is also a need for more volunteers and more shelters, said Felicia Crosby-Rucker, Hillsborough County Director of Homeless Services.

Next time you hear an announcement that the shelters are opening as a cold front approaches, consider dropping by one of the shelters with donations, Crosby-Rucker said.

Anyone interested in getting involved or volunteering can call the county at 813-276-2677 and speak with Julie Watkinson.

“The cold weather shelters are all part of a community-based plan,” Crosby-Rucker said. “The county is just a coordinator for the plan. It is community driven and in place for years.” 

It is the county that makes the call when the temperature drops and alerts the parties and the volunteers. “We do offer some county support. We monitor the weather through the National Weather Service, and we bring the parties together,” Crosby-Rucker said. “We fill the gaps.”

Last year, some 2,081 people and 14 dogs were

 housed and fed on 13 cold weather days. Hyde Park United Methodist Church in South Tampa serves as a shelter, and the Salvation Army in Tampa adds beds to provide for more people when it is cold. Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa provides motel vouchers and two county park buildings serve as shelters. The county park shelters are at Jackson Springs Recreation Center in the Town ’n’ Country area, and there is one at the Wimauma Senior Center. 

The Jackson Springs shelter allows pets. Last year was the first time the program allowed pets. There were two shelters then, but it is limited to the Jackson Springs’ location this year, Crosby-Rucker said. Just like when hurricanes strike, not everyone is willing to leave their dogs and cats behind to seek a safer location, so it just made sense to offer that service.

If folks are picked up by the county’s Sunshine Line bus service, Hillsborough County’s Pet Resources department provides crates right on the buses to transport animals. Pet food is also provided onsite.

“Our temperature is 40 degrees, including windchill,” Crosby-Rucker said. That is when the alarm goes off to open the shelters. “We get information from the National Weather Service and our Emergency Operations Center. We start with our volunteer partners 48 hours in advance. We go public the day we are going to activate. By 9 a.m. we either are activating or have decided not to.”

When people arrive at the shelter, they sign in and store their personal belongings, Crosby-Rucker said. “Typically, people are getting a meal, a mat and shown a designated area for their genders. Families typically go through Metropolitan Ministries.

“We want to emphasize that the shelters are not just for people that are homeless,” she said. “It also involves the temperature of the houses and the availability of food and blankets.”

If there are any organizations interested in hosting or volunteering, the county wants to hear from them, Crosby-Rucker said. “We are still operating in two county buildings. We want to get out of the county buildings, and we do need some more partners.”

Those who donate can stop by a shelter site on the day of activation after 6 p.m.

Shelter Locations

Wimauma Senior Center, 5714 North St., Wimauma

Metropolitan Ministries, 2106 N. Florida Ave., Tampa

The Salvation Army, 1514 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa

Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 500 W. Platt St., Tampa

Jackson Springs Recreation Center (Town ’n’ Country) – pet-friendly location, 8620 Jackson Springs Road, Tampa