Warming Centers to Open Over Holiday Weekend

 

Plus Ways The Community Can Help This Holiday

City of Austin will be opening several Warming Centers over the holiday weekend. Typically, City facilities would be closed during the holidays. However, staffing and facility adjustments have been made to ensure cold weather resources are available for our most vulnerable populations.  HOURS OF OPERATION   Friday, Dec. 23 and Saturday, Dec. 24   8 a.m. to 7 p.m.   LOCATIONS   Little Walnut Creek Branch Library, 835 W. Rundberg Ln, Austin, TX 78758   Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702   Turner Roberts Recreation Center, 7201 Colony Loop Dr, Austin, TX  78724   George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center 5801 Ainez Dr  Austin, TX 78744  This information is subject to change as weather conditions change. For the most up-to-date locations and hours please check austintexas.gov/alerts for the most current emergency information in multiple languages.   WHAT IS A WARMING CENTER  A Warming Center is a safe place where anyone in the community can come inside to get temporary relief from the cold weather during normal operating hours. Pets are not permitted inside Warming Centers. If someone arrives with a pet, facility staff will contact Animal Services to provide pet support.   SHELTERING  The City does not anticipate a need for Emergency Disaster Shelters this weekend. Emergency Disaster Shelters are activated when there is an emergency event that has a widespread impact on the community and displaces people and pets from their homes.   Cold Weather Shelters are overnight shelters that primarily serve people experiencing homelessness and their animals. The City and its community partners recognize that persons experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable during this frigid weather. For individuals and pets who need overnight sheltering, the City of Austin manages different types of daytime and overnight shelter resources options. The City, with contracted support from Austin Area Urban League, is prepared to activate Cold Weather Shelters for people experiencing homelessness this week.     PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION  Anyone seeking a ride to a Warming Center and does not have a means to pay will still be given a ride if requested. No one will be denied a ride to Warming Center or Cold Weather Shelter on CapMetro services.  VOLUNTEERING AND DONATIONS  If members of the community would like to help our most vulnerable, there are several ways to help.  Please contact the American Red Cross to inquire about donating items or volunteering for the shelter strike team. Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.  Austin Area Urban League is accepting donations such as socks and clothing for people experiencing homelessness. Supplies can be dropped at Southbridge Shelter at 2711 S. IH 35 Austin, Texas 78741. Contact Austin Area Urban League at aaul.org for more information.   The Central Texas Food bank is accepting monetary and food donations. Most requested food items are peanut butter, canned chicken or tuna, canned low sodium vegetables, canned fruit in its own juice, dry pinto beans, brown rice, non-fat dry milk and 100% whole grain cereal. Donations can be dropped off at 6500 Metropolis Drive. Austin, Texas 78744 or see centraltexasfoodbank.org for more information or to make a monetary donation.