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Local organizations across the Upper Cumberland are offering warming shelters for those in need to combat the severe winter weather.
Seeds of Hope Executive Director Tina Lomax said the organization’s shelter is open all winter long and will continue to serve the Sparta community during this dangerous cold. Lomax said the shelter only has sixteen beds each for men and women and people are admitted on a first come, first served basis.
“Once we can assess them and get them linked up with whatever we can do, we may not be able to serve everyone, but we always try to provide some sort of service,” Lomax said. “Whether that’s a hot meal, a transportation to another facility or something of those sorts.”
Lomax said everyone needs to look out for one another during the blistering cold as some locals do not have the proper heating to warm their homes and prevent their pipes from freezing. Lomax said she expects the shelter to be at capacity during the ongoing winter weather event.
“We’re going to play it by ear and just see,” Lomax said. “I do know that Cookeville currently has their cold weather shelter and we’re kind of seeing an overflow from some of their people so we may be at capacity. It all depends.”
Seeds of Hope’s shelter is located at 117 North Spring Street across from Sparta’s YMCA. Lomax said people can call (931) 303-6695 or reach out through Facebook to ask if any beds are still available.
The Cookeville Community Center is hosting a cold weather shelter to provide a safe place for those looking to get out of the frigid temperatutes.
Fentress County EMA Director James Bilbrey said the First Baptist Church and Jamestown Community Center both serve as shelters for locals in need. Bilbrey said both shelters are on call so the county can get them open as the need arises.
“During these icy conditions we could possibly see some power outages,” Bilbrey said. “And that makes things worse, especially when we have power outages, people’s not able to, you know, the only thing they have is like electric heaters and stuff like that.”
Bilbrey said the Fentress County Rescue Squad is available to transport people to and from shelters if anyone needs assistance.
Pickett County EMA Director Garry Garrett said they will set up warming shelters as needed for instances like power outages in the area. Garrett said anyone in need of a shelter should call the local dispatch or sheriff’s department to request one.
Jackson County EMA Public Information Officer Derek Woolbright said the county does not have any warming shelters set up because the need has not presented itself. Woolbright said the county can open multiple shelters in the area if citizens request them.
Overton County EMA Director Chris Masiongale said the Overton County Rescue Squad, Livingston Fire Department, and East Fork Utility District are all places where people can go to get warm. Masiongale said anyone looking to use those facilities should call (931) 403-HELP beforehand so officials can make sure someone is at the building to receive people seeking shelter.
“There’s a lot of people that may not have adequate heating in their home,” Masiongale said. “And course there’s people on fixed incomes that may not be able to afford that extra heat and course you have breakdowns as well and then you have those that are homeless or without any place to go and seek shelter during these very cold temperatures.”
