Hillsborough County shelters opening to keep homeless, kids and families warm

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. - In lieu of temperatures dipping to icy lows, several Hillsborough County Cold Weather Shelters are opening Sunday to protect the homeless and those without adequate heat from the cold.

Hillsborough County cold weather shelters will open tonight, Sunday, Dec. 5, for the homeless and those who live in homes without adequate heat.

Hillsborough County coordinates with these organizations to help provide cold weather shelters when temperatures are predicted to reach 32 or below degrees, including wind chill.

There are four Hillsborough shelters that will be accepting people Sunday night.

The Bethune Park Rural Shelter (South County) 5809 Edina St. is located in Wimauma and this shelter, intended for adults and families opens at 6 p.m.
They can be reached at (813)671-7618.

The Brandon Community Center located at 510 E. Sadie St. in Brandon will open at 5:30 p.m. and it’s also intended for homeless individuals and families with children in the Brandon Area.
They can be reached at (813) 635-8179.

Metropolitan Ministries located at 2010 N. Florida Ave in Tampa opens at 4 p.m. and is intended for families.
Their after hours phone line is (813) 209-1077.

The Salvation Army, located at 1514 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa
opens at 4 p.m. and is only for adults.
Their after hours phone line is (813) 221-4440.

Most shelters will close tomorrow around 7 a.m.

The Bethune Park Rural Shelter and the Brandon Community Center are accepting donations of shelter supplies, such as disinfectant wipes, disposable cups, coffee, creamer, paper plates, plastic utensils, and sugar. Anyone wanting to donate supplies should contact each individual shelter.

The shelters meals will be provided by Metropolitan Ministries. Those wishing to donate non-perishable items should contact Metropolitan Ministries at (813) 209-1000.

Last year, cold weather shelters opened 31 days, assisting more than 6,000 individuals.