PALM BAY, Fla. – After community advocates pushed for Central Florida's second largest city to open its first cold night shelter, enough food and lodging for 50 people is now available on nights when temperatures drop below 45 degrees.
Pastor Sean Peters was anxiously optimistic Tuesday that Mosaic Palm Bay on Port Malabar Boulevard would be successful on its first night.
"It was deeply troubling," Peters said about Palm Bay not having a cold night shelter. "That was one of the reasons why we wanted to do whatever we could to help."
Joining other homeless advocates such as News 6 Getting Results Award winner Tom Rebman, supporters of opening a shelter took their cause to city hall earlier this year and they were backed by leaders.
"Basically, every other community had a cold night shelter and Palm Bay didn't and so our community came together," Rebman said.
Guests staying Tuesday night will be fed dinner and then breakfast Wednesday morning. And in the holiday spirit, the men and women will even be treated to a movie.
"We're excited but we're a little anxious too to make sure we get everything together the way it needs to go," Peters said. "We want it to run smoothly and we want our guests to be able to have a good, comfortable night stay."
Because the weather is expected to be cold again Wednesday, the shelter will be open for a second straight night.
Click here to see a list of cold weather shelters across Central Florida.