What you need to know
The shelter opened Jan. 5 at First McKinney Baptist Church at 1615 W. Louisiana St., the city’s website states.
The center will open daily from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., once temperature thresholds have been met, said Paul Ballesteros, founder of Emmanuel Labor and representative of MEOWS. The shelter location will vary, with shelters being hosted at both First McKinney Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church of McKinney, he said. The organization is also looking for other churches that could volunteer to operate warming shelters.
No ID is required to enter the shelter, the city’s website states. For more information on the status of the warming center, call 214-945-4637 or visit the Emmanuel Labor Facebook page.
“I would ask all the community to pray for us and to consider volunteering their time, talent, and treasure,” Ballesteros said in a statement. “We would be honored to help train and equip anyone with a loving heart who is interested in loving their most vulnerable neighbors.”
Diving in deeper
There are no expected impacts or modifications to city services or trash service due to weather, the city’s website states. Any changes to services will be posted on the city’s website.
The city also provided the following reminders on its Facebook page about preparedness in winter weather and provided recommendations to prepare residents homes, such as:
- Allow hot and cold water to run in a thin stream
- Open cabinet doors to expose pipes and faucets to heat
- Remove garden hoses from outside faucets, and wrap exterior pipes and faucets with foam insulation or newspaper
- Cover all openings around the foundation
