With a severe drop in temperatures arriving this week, First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud will open Tuesday evening as a cold weather shelter for those experiencing homelessness, it was announced Monday.
Following established community protocols for when temperatures are predicted to fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, First United Methodist Church St. Cloud (1000 Ohio Avenue, St. Cloud) will open its doors at 5 p.m. and provide a nighttime refuge, officials said.
Faith-based groups and other non-profits were also reaching out in areas where the homeless are known to congregate to alert them of shelter availability – and to help coordinate logistics.
Those needing transportation to the shelter location can travel at no cost using LYNX buses by alerting drivers that they will be going to the cold weather shelter. Pets are housed at Osceola Animal Services during the operation. Any animals will need to be in a carrier before they board, unless they are service dog.
Osceola’s cold weather shelter collaboration program is coordinated by the Osceola County Office of Emergency Management with participation from the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud, as well as LYNX, the Hope Partnership, the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, the Osceola Council on Aging, the Salvation Army, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and other members of the faith-based/non-profit community. The cold weather protocol activates when overnight temperatures are expected to dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than four consecutive hours.
People can sign up for alerts on their phone by texting ‘coldweather’ to 888777.
Officials urge everyone to follow “the Five Ps for Cold Weather Preparedness:” Protect People, Protect Pets, Protect Pipes, Protect Plants and Practice Fire Safety.
Residents should practice fire safety and use safe heating sources indoors. Space heaters should be kept away from draperies, clothing, beds and any other materials that are flammable and can cause a fire. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas.
Pet owners should take proper precaution for pets. Dogs and cats that could be vulnerable to the cold may need to be brought inside or given a warm shelter to stay in. Make sure pipes and plants are protect from freezing.
