Shelter expects to be at capacity due to ‘rare’ colder weather

The Bradenton Salvation Army shelter is expected to be at capacity as colder weather is creeping into the area.

The shelter, located at 1204 14th St. W., will open its doors for weather-related, free overnight stays starting Monday night.

On any other day, Manatee County residents can stay at the shelter for seven free nights and any stay after that is $10, explained the shelter’s director of community relations Kelly French. Cold weather stays won’t count against the allotted free time.

French said this program during the previous cold weather season wasn’t needed until January.

“We didn’t have any last fall,” French said. “It’s kind of rare for us.”

The family shelter opens for free to women and children if temperatures tip to 45 or below, and the men’s shelter opens if it’s 40 degrees.

Check-in is set to begin at 6 p.m., but French expects the shelter to fill up to its 200-person capacity around 8 p.m. People should bring an ID. Typically, they see about 150 men and 50 women use the shelter.

As this program depends on the weather, those seeking shelter can check with the Salvation Army by calling 941-748-5110.

This story was originally published October 30, 2017 at 10:35 AM with the headline "Shelter expects to be at capacity due to ‘rare’ colder weather."