With a sharp chill settling over North Texas, the City of Arlington has activated its Homeless Emergency Weather Shelter Plan for Sunday and Monday, turning First United Methodist Church at 407 Mesquite Street into an overnight lifeline. Intake at the church runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. both nights, with warm space and meals offered to people experiencing homelessness while officials keep a close eye on the forecast.
Shelter Details and Hours
Guests can check in from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on both shelter nights, with room for late drop-offs handled by the Arlington Police Department when necessary, according to the City of Arlington. The city identifies First United Methodist Church as the temporary inclement weather site and notes that meals will be available to everyone who comes through the doors. Anyone with questions is asked to call 817-274-2571 and press option 2 to reach the on-call pastor.
How The Activation Works
The Homeless Emergency Cold Weather Shelter plan kicks in when overnight temperatures are forecast to drop to 39 degrees Fahrenheit or below for at least four consecutive hours, as outlined by the City of Arlington. During these activations, the city designates Arlington Public Library branches as daytime warming locations and notes that Arlington Animal Services will take in pets as space allows at 1000 SE Green Oaks Blvd. Residents can also sign up for ARLCOLD text alerts to get quick notice when future emergency shelters open.
Where To Get Help
Anyone needing a place to stay or more information about the emergency shelter is urged to call 817-274-2571 and press option 2 to connect with the on-call pastor, per the City of Arlington. The city notes that if intake hours have ended for the night, Arlington Police can help coordinate late arrivals. For questions about animals, Arlington Animal Services can be reached at 817-459-5898, with space for pets limited and dependent on current capacity.
How You Can Help
Cold snaps strain local resources, and shelters, along with partner agencies, often look for blankets, warm clothing, and hand warmers to keep people comfortable. The Salvation Army and other organizations welcome donations and volunteers, according to guidance from the City of Arlington. Residents who want to pitch in can contact these groups directly or follow the city news feed for updates on shelter extensions. Officials say they will continue to monitor the cold front and keep emergency shelters operating as long as conditions meet the activation threshold.
