Seattle, WA
Overnight emergency shelters open across western Washington
Finding refuge as western WA temperatures tumble
The first stretch of prolonged cold winter weather has arrived in western Washington, and it’s expected to stick around into next week. With overnight lows in the 30s over the weekend, many overnight emergency shelters welcomed their firsts guests at 8 p.m. Saturday. At St. Anthony’s Rec Hall in Renton, 40 beds are available to those in need.
RENTON, Wash. – The first stretch of prolonged cold winter weather has arrived in western Washington, and it’s expected to stick around into next week.
With overnight lows in the 30s Saturday night, many overnight emergency shelters welcomed their first guests at 8 p.m.
At St. Anthony’s Rec Hall in Renton, 40 beds are available to those in need.
What they’re saying:
“We’re providing them with food, a pair of shoes, a pair of socks, and, of course, a warm place to sleep,” said Fenice Fregoso, program director of REACH Renton.
The organization oversees the shelter.
“We’re setting people up for success for the next day,” said Fregoso. “This way, they don’t have to stress on how they’re going to be able to get A, B, and C.”
Local perspective:
Among the individuals taking advantage of the cold weather services is Brandon Lakey. He’s trading the outdoors for a warm, safe cot.
“When it’s cold like this at night, places like this mean life,” said Lakey. “It’s everything, it’s survival. It means that someone cares, that someone’s reaching out to us.”
The Renton overnight shelter will run from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Saturday to Tuesday night.
For those seeking information on shelters and navigating to shelter locations, people are encouraged to call the Severe Weather Shelter Navigation Hotline: (206) 245-1026.
For a complete list of daytime and overnight shelters in Seattle and throughout King County visit the King County Regional Homelessness Authority.
The Source: Information for this article comes from FOX 13 reporter Dave Detling who visited the Renton site.
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