Ahead of the coldest front of the season arriving tonight, cold weather shelters are opening in both Sarasota and Manatee counties for those in need. Much of the area is under a freeze warning through Friday morning, with temperatures only reaching about 60 degrees Fahrenheit today and wind chill as low as 28 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Here's where to find shelter and a meal if you or someone you know needs it.

Sarasota County

The Salvation Army Center of Hope

1400 10th St., Sarasota

The Salvation Army serve dinner from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. tonight, Jan 15. Guests will need to leave campus afterward and may return at 7 p.m. for shelter entry; they must be checked in by 8:30 p.m.  Showers will be available from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and all guests will be required to present a valid ID for identification at check-in. Breakfast will be provided to-go in the morning, and all guests will need to depart campus by 6 a.m. Breeze Routes 2, 7, 8, or 99 operating on normal schedules will arrive within about two blocks of the Salvation Army on 10th Street. Visit www.scgov.net/breeze for information on Breeze services. 

100 Church

14525 Tamiami Trail, North Port

A cold weather shelter tonight opens tonight, Jan. 15, at 5 p.m., and will remain open through the night. Visitors should bring sleeping supplies. Breeze Route 9 operating on a normal schedule will arrive within about one block of 100 Church. Those in the North Port service area can also use the Breeze OnDemand service.

Manatee County

Salvation Army

1204 14th St. W., Bradenton

Check-in begins at 6 p.m. tonight (Thursday, Jan. 15) and Friday, Jan. 16.

Under One Roof

407 57th Ave E., Bradenton

This shelter is for women only. Doors open at 2:45 p.m., earlier than the normal 3 p.m. check-in time. Transportation to Under One Roof will be available through Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) from Turning Points (701 Seventh Ave. W., Bradenton), beginning at 2:30 p.m. Turning Points will also be open to provide warmth and coffee during the cold weather.

How to Stay Safe During Cold Weather Events

Emergency Management officials remind residents that pets should not be left outside during the cold weather. Those who need to be outside overnight or during the early morning hours are encouraged to dress in several warm layers and limit skin exposure to the wind. Useextreme caution when heating your home, as the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning increases during very cold weather due to the improper use of heating devices, like space heaters. For more heating safety tips, click here.