As the frost recedes and the scythe of winter dulls, the City of Memphis has dialed back the operations of its Emergency Warming Centers for the unhoused, no longer extending 24-hour hospitality due to an uptick in temperature.
The Hospitality Hub, which assumed the mantle of protector during the city's most chilling peaks, will continue to offer overnight refuge from the evening chill, sustaining its mission of warmth and refuge. According to the City of Memphis’ announcement, while the 24-hour service has ended, there remains provision for those in need to seek shelter from 10:00 pm Thursday until 10:00 am Friday, and this service may shuffle as the weather dictates its necessity, the opening hours isn't fixed it is however reliable.
In its wisdom, Memphis bifurcated its sanctuaries: single women and families may find shelter at the Hospitality Hub at 590 Washington Ave. In contrast, single men and couples can turn to the embrace of the First Baptist Church at 200 East Parkway North. Their separation is a logistical choice, maximizing the resources and the space available to accommodate every soul in need.
MATA, Memphis' chariot for the vulnerable, offers transportation to both locations, starting from 9:30 PM — a service one can summon with a simple call to 901-297-1680; the journey to a haven begins with a connection, the voice on the other end a promise of a warm bed in nights that would otherwise breed bone-deep cold.
Extended stays and day-long respite fall beyond the purview of the Warming Center; it shines solely as a beacon for the night. The City of Memphis urges those seeking longer-term shelter to consider the Memphis Union Mission or MIFA, both of which mandate identification and proof of COVID vaccination or a negative test. However, their doors stand open to grant rest and retreat.
