City of Jackson thanks community for assistance with Emergency Cold Weather Shelters
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CITY OF JACKSON:
JACKSON, Tenn. – The City of Jackson, TN would like to extend another thank you to the community members who showed up to assist us with our Emergency Cold Weather Shelter.
“The City was happy to step in and ensure basic needs for shelter were met. We are grateful to First United Methodist Church staff and the TR White staff, as well as everyone who donated, volunteered and showed up during this extreme weather,” said the City’s Community Development Director Claire Pruett. “Our goal was to provide a safe and dignified environment and that standard guided the work of our volunteers and City staff throughout the shelter’s operation. Together we made sure our neighbors had warmth, safety, and respect when they needed it most.”
The City received an overwhelming amount of donations that included blankets, clothing and hygiene items. These items were used throughout the ten nights the shelters were operational at both First United Methodist Church (women and children) and T.R. White Sportsplex (men) and were available for both individuals staying the night and those that passed through. Each individual was sent with a bag of items they requested on the last day of the shelter. Remaining donations were inventoried and either were stored away for future shelter needs or donated to local non-profits.
Additionally, we want to thank the 68 volunteers who spent time at the shelters and the 20 individuals, restaurants, companies, and church groups who donated meals, as well as FUMC for serving as our donation drop-off center, and Madison County EMA for providing cots for individuals to sleep on.
With the community’s help the City provided over 60 individuals with a warm, safe space to stay throughout Winter Storm Fern with the Jackson Police Department reporting zero known winter storm related fatalities in Jackson.
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