DALLAS – An arctic front hit North Texas on Sunday, causing temperatures to drop by up to 40 degrees. The shift has prompted warming shelters throughout the area to open their doors to those in need.
Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas will open its shelter at 4 p.m. Volunteers will also distribute cold weather gear, such as hats, scarves and gloves.
“Our church, in coordination with the City of Dallas, works as an inclement weather shelter on freezing nights so that all of our unsheltered neighbors have a place to come inside and have a safe and warm night’s sleep,” Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison said.
Griffin-Allison is the church’s senior pastor and said 100 beds are ready to help those experiencing homelessness.
“In the upcoming week, we’re looking at probably a full week of providing inclement weather shelter,” Griffin-Allison said. “We will be open overnight every night that it’s freezing, and then during the daytime will also remain open for people to be able to be indoors and have meals and have a warm place to be.”