As they have since early December, four local churches will be opening their doors as overnight warming centers to anyone who needs a warm, indoor space on nights when temperatures drop below 25 degrees. The Salvation Army is also opening homeless shelter overflow space at 409 North Broadway.
Centers will be open tonight (Saturday, Jan. 4) and and possibly Jan. 6-13.
Schedules will vary by site, and up-to-date bulletins will be sent to first responders, homeless outreach teams, hospitals, media outlets and other service providers.
Extreme cold weather is expected in Knoxville and Knox County from Jan. 6 to 13, 2025. According to the National Weather Service, the cold snap “could rival the historic and dangerous cold of December 2022,” during which Knoxville and Knox County experienced rolling blackouts and building damage due to frozen and burst pipes.
The Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability is assisting by coordinating volunteer services. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals, set up cots, provide transportation to people who need to get to warming centers, check people in, or stay overnight.
If you would like to volunteer for this community-wide effort, please see the site-specific contact information below:
Warming Center North
Fountain City United Methodist Church, 212 Hotel Rd.
Click here to sign up to volunteer .
Warming Center South
Vestal United Methodist Church, 115 Ogle Ave.
To volunteer, text AJ Jackson at 865-963-2661.
Warming Center East
Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Magnolia Ave.
To volunteer, text Kecia Armstrong at 865-228-0990.
Warming Center West
Cokesbury Church, 9919 Kingston Pk.
To volunteer, go to Cokesbury.tv/Warming and click the “Volunteer Interest” button
The Salvation Army is also opening homeless shelter overflow space at 409 North Broadway.
To volunteer, sign up for a shift at SignUpGenius.
Supplies are also needed: new or gently used blankets, sleeping bags, gloves and hats; new toiletries and socks are especially appreciated.
If you would like to donate supplies, please drop them off at Knox Area Rescue Ministries at 418 North Broadway. A dedicated trailer has been set up to hold warming center donations, so all donations meant for warming centers will be reserved for that effort. If you’d like more information, please contact KARM at (865) 673-6540 or email Info@KARM.org.
