KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Those in need of a warm, safe place to sleep will have a site to go to beginning next week.
Knoxville will open its overnight warming centers to the public on Sunday, Dec. 1 to anyone in need of a warm indoor space on dangerously cold nights, according to a release from the City of Knoxville.
Four Knoxville churches will serve as centers from Dec. 1 to February 28 on nights when temperatures are forecast to fall below 25 degrees. Schedules will vary by site. The four sites include:
- Fountain City United Methodist Church, 212 Hotel Road, opens Sunday if needed
- Vestal United Methodist Church, 115 Ogle Avenue, Opens Friday
- Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Magnolia Avenue, Opens Friday
- Cokesbury Church at 9919 Kingston Pike, Opens Friday
The Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability says supplies are still needed to support guests. Needed items, purchased new only, include toiletries, socks and underwear of all sizes. People can donate supplies at Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church at 2700 East Magnolia Avenue on Sunday, Dec. 1, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
"On our busiest night on January 2024, we had 288 people across four warming sites," said Erin Read, Office of Housing Stability's executive director.
Read also said the group is working to make it easier for unhoused people to arrive at the shelters by offering city buses and church vans to transport people where they need to go, including to an overflow site at the Salvation Army.
"We're hoping to expand to 50 or 60 more people, in this building right here, it used to be an old thrift store," Read said. "There are several homeless outreach teams across the community, who work for various non-profits, who are going to be doing day of, even night of, outreach."
The office is also asking volunteers to assist with delivering meals, setting up cots, checking people in and staying overnight. If you would like to volunteer, visit knoxtnhousing.org and click "Give Help."