VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – People across Central Florida are seeking warmth as cold weather continues to affect the region.
Many shelters have opened their doors to provide a safe place for those in need, including Neighborhood Center’s The Bridge in DeLand.
The shelter, located at 421 S. Palmetto Ave., will welcome people seeking refuge from the cold, including those without stable housing or an adequate source of heat.
The Bridge, operated by The Neighborhood Center, is a city of Deland initiative that serves as an emergency weather shelter for West Volusia County.
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This community room gets an additional 30 to 35 beds to help people get out of the cold.
“The big thing that we do is we are the west side emergency weather shelter. So whether it be, from severe storms, whether it be hurricane or cold weather, we transform our community room adding an additional 30 to 35 beds to get individuals out of the elements,” Chief Operating Officer of The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia Waylan Niece said.
The shelter depends on community support and is always seeking donations to help people, especially during bad weather.
“We’re always looking for additional blankets, pillows, jackets and sleeping bags for those who choose not to come in. But also, for those nights that we don’t open. But it’s on that borderline. That’s a huge way that we can help in this particular situation, as well as food donations, because that’s an extra 30 to 35, maybe even 40, mouths that we need to feed during this time,” Niece said.
Anyone in need can spend the night at the shelter, whether they lack stable housing or enough heat at home.
Doors open again Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m.
“They will get up, they will make their cots, put everything away to get ready for the lunch service. But they do not have to leave in this situation. They will be allowed to remain inside until the lunch service,” Niece explained.
For more information about the cold weather shelter, contact The Neighborhood Center at 386-734-8120, ext. 601.
Volusia County monitors forecasts and collaborates with local community organizations to share information about cold weather shelters when they are activated. In addition to raising public awareness, the County provides shelters with supplies such as water, food, bedding, and other essential items, as requested.
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