Warming centers open to the public across West Tennessee

JACKSON, Tenn. — With winter weather impacting much of the Tennessee Valley, warming centers are opening up to help fight the cold.

Warming centers are opening up all over the region as dangerous cold temps from winter weather move in the area. One board member for the Henderson County Homeless Coalition tells us how they’re making a difference.

“While the temperature drops down to the single digits, we open up the warming stations for either the homeless or people that are living without water or power. They have a place to come. We have lots of warm beds, plenty of hot food and it stops people from actually freezing to death in our community,” said Angela Phipps, board member for the Henderson County Homeless Coalition.

Phipps says they work with the local community to make sure every need is met.

“We have local church as that we contact and they bring in food. The Henderson County Homeless Coalition provides the snacks and several area churches provide the meals,” said Phipps.

The Henderson County warming center is located at 10 Natchez Trace Dr. and will be open 24 hours a day for the remainder of the week. The center offers showers and kennels for pets. If you don’t have a ride, you can call their hotline number at (731) 307-7593 and they will arrange transportation.

Their mission is to combat homelessness, caring for 243 cases within the last year.

“There are a number of people that are in Henderson County and I’m sure other counties that are not homeless but they’re living without water or power so please take a moment to check on your neighbors if know anyone that needs to come,” said Phipps.

The Hub City’s temporary warming center location is at the First United Methodist Church Mission Center located at 200 S. Church St. Jackson.

SEE ALSO: Warming shelter to reopen in the Hub City amid winter storm

The center will operate from Tuesday night through Thursday night February 20.

Other warming centers across West Tennessee include:

• Savannah Warming Center: Opened Wednesday at 4 p.m. located on 212 Eureka Street.
• Safety Public Complex in Milan: Offering warming opportunities 24 hours a day located on 7029 Telecom Dr.
• McKenzie Farmers Market: Open all week, however no pets will be allowed. The market is located downtown at 2431 Cedar Street.
• Inman Shelter in Paris: Open throughout the weekend at 400 Harrison Street. No pets are allowed.

To see a full list of warming shelter opportunities across the state, click here. For updates on local weather conditions, click here.

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