Another blast of chilly air is headed for the Suncoast, and Manatee County is once again opening cold-weather shelters Monday and Tuesday so people who are unhoused or without reliable heat have a warm, safe place to stay overnight.
According to Manatee County Government, cold-weather shelters will be available Monday, Feb. 23, and Tuesday, Feb. 24. Under One Roof will open early as a women-only shelter with doors at 2:45 p.m., and the Salvation Army in Bradenton will begin check-ins at 6 p.m.
Shelters, times and transportation
Manatee County Area Transit will provide rides to both shelter sites, with buses scheduled to depart Turning Points at 2:30 p.m. Turning Points and Our Daily Bread will also be open to offer warmth and coffee, as reported by WGCU.
Weather backdrop and why shelters are opening
The county alert comes after multiple cold snaps this winter that already prompted earlier shelter activations, and the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay has issued freeze warnings and cold-weather advisories in recent weeks that signal dangerous overnight lows for vulnerable residents, according to National Weather Service Tampa Bay. These short, targeted openings are intended to reduce the risk of hypothermia and other cold-related health harms.
How to get help
People who need shelter, or those trying to help spread the word, can find the county’s most current list of openings, pickup locations and contact numbers on Manatee County's website or on the county’s Facebook page. Manatee County’s Community & Veterans Services number is listed as 941-748-4501 for further assistance.
