Hillsborough County to Open Emergency Cold Weather Shelters

Hillsborough County cold weather shelters will open tonight, Jan. 6 for the homeless and those who live in homes without adequate heat. The National Weather Service expects the local wind chill factor to be in the 20s beginning Monday evening as well as Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Hillsborough County coordinates with the following organizations to provide cold weather shelters:

• Brandon Community Center, 510 E. Sadie St. in Brandon
This shelter opens at 6 p.m. and is for homeless individuals and families with children in the Brandon Area.
Phone: 813-635-8179

• Metropolitan Ministries, 2010 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa
This shelter opens at 4 p.m. and is for families.
After hours phone: 813-209-1077

• Salvation Army, 1514 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa
This shelter opens at 4 p.m. and is only for adults.
After hours phone: 813-221-4440

• Jackson Springs Recreation Center, 8620 Jackson Springs Road in Town ‘N Country
This shelter opens at 6:30 p.m. and is for adults and families.
Phone 813-554-5064

• Wimauma Community Center, 5705 Hillsborough St. in Wimauma
This shelter opens at 6 p.m. and is for adults and families.
Phone 813-635-3500

The Brandon Community Center, Jackson Springs Recreation Center, and Wimauma Community Center are also accepting donations of shelter supplies, such as hats, gloves, scarves, blankets, disinfectant wipes, disposable cups, coffee, creamer, paper plates, plastic utensils and sugar. Those wishing to donate supplies should contact each individual shelter.

Residents who need to be outside overnight or during the early morning hours are encouraged to dress in several warm layers and limit skin exposure to the wind. Pets should not be left outside during the cold weather. The lower than normal temperatures combined with strong winds could produce dangerous wind chills.

Source: Hillsborough County Media