Central Florida Cold Night Shelters Open
Monday, January 2, 2012
By: Tom Parkinson

Jan. 02, 2012 | WMFE - For most Floridians, a chilly night means it's time to cover the plants and bring the pets inside but for the homeless, near freezing temperatures can make it very uncomfortable and possibly life-threatening to stay outside. Several area homeless shelters are opening their doors tonight for everyone who needs a place to stay warm.

 

Whenever the mercury falls toward the freezing mark, area shelters make overflow space available to accommodate those who usually sleep outside.

The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida will open extra space at its two downtown Orlando shelters and, Coalition spokeswoman Muffet Robinson says, no one will be turned away.

“We’ll open our doors for people to come in and get warm.” Robinson said. “Whether they’re homeless or not. They may just not have heat in their home.”

The Salvation Army, American Red Cross and several area churches are also opening cold night shelters across the region for people to come in out of the cold.