Shelters ready for people who need to come in from cold as frigid temperatures hit Clarksville

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – With temperatures dropping to dangerously low levels, community organizations are rolling up their sleeves to help keep Clarksville warm.

Temperatures in Clarksville will plummet by about 30 degrees at the end of the week. There’s also a chance of snow Thursday night and Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Manna Café

Manna Café Ministries, 650 Providence Blvd., opened their warming shelter on Saturday, which is expected to be available for most of this week and next.

“If it gets down to about 32 for more than about an hour or so during the night, then we’ll open,” said Ken Shipley with Manna Café. “We’ll probably not be open Wednesday night this week because it’s going to be in the 40s through the night. But then the next day it tanks down to four degrees, so we’ll be open for, probably, the week starting Thursday night through next Tuesday or Wednesday.”

He noted that closing on warmer days will allow the organization to keep the facility in optimal condition.

“We’re also trying to save our folks that are helping the people that want to come in. So, if it’s like a mid-30s night or definitely a 40-degree night, we try to close. Because then we can clean, we can mop the floors, take care of everything really well, and then regroup for the next round of colder weather.”

Shipley explained that the organization is looking for volunteers who have a few hours to spare to help out at the warming shelter. If you would like to volunteer, you can visit the volunteer page on the Manna Café website.

For those wanting to know when the shelter is open, you can check the Manna Café Ministries Facebook page for regular updates or call (931) 933-0970. A white flag will also be placed outside the shelter when it is open.

Room in the Inn

According to their website, Room in the Inn’s Winter Shelter program runs from November through March each year, in coordination with almost 200 congregations throughout Middle Tennessee. The program provides safe shelter, warm meals and fellowship for those struggling with homelessness during the frigid months.

Room in the Inn services are now evaluated on a case-by-case basis, depending on the funding the organization has available.

“This year, we didn’t have a lot of funding, but we received some,” said Sandra Santiago, with Old Fire House. “That’s what we are using to place clients in hotels. It is case by case; it is first come, first served.”

Additionally, the organization is only accepting new cases to help those who are newly homeless.

“Clients that were in the system in the past, who have used Room in the Inn in the past, won’t be able to use it again because we are trying to give the opportunities to new clients,” Santiago said, noting that they will still provide daily amenities to all clients, like showers, laundry services, clothing and food.

The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will take cases until 2 p.m. For more details on assistance from Room in the Inn, visit their website. You can also call (931) 542-0381.

Salvation Amy

The Salvation Army also has a place available for those who need shelter from the cold.

“We’re under white flag pretty much the whole week, as long as it gets under 32 degrees at night,” said Clarksville Salvation Army Leader, Major Kati Chase.

During the stay, men and women will be housed separately. Check-in starts at 5 p.m., and beds will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

The emergency shelter is located at 210 Kraft St.