BRADENTON – With temperatures dipping into the mid-40s Wednesday and Thursday night several cold-weather shelters are opening up around the Suncoast.
“We got our drill set that we know we may need extra staff, because we may have extra people,” says Kelly French, Director of Community Relations.
As the cold settles in, the Salvation Army in Bradenton is prepared for the extra flow of people seeking a warm bed overnight. “Yesterday we had just about 175 people in the shelter. That’s higher than normal but certainly not to capacity,” says French.
French says her shelter received more men than women and children on Wednesday night. “It was definitely higher on the men’s side. We had about40 women and children and then the men would make up the balance, so that would be I think it was 138,” she says.
The Manatee County Emergency Management Division coordinates with the Salvation Army to provide beds for those in need.
“It’s really important to have available, and it is free when they come in for the cold weather. You know our shelter operates 365 days a year,” says French
The free service is only available on cold nights. French says jackets, blankets, gloves – anything that would help keep warm at night are in high demand in donations. “Having those items on hand really means a lot to the community,” she says.
The Salvation Army in Bradenton opens its doors from 6-8 on cold nights, but serves dinner starting at five. Anyone is welcome