- November 19, 2024
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Flagler County’s only cold weather shelter, tucked away in the First United Methodist Church, at 205 N. Pine St., in Bunnell, served a total of 64 people over two days of last week’s freeze.
“We had around 27 the first night, and the second night we had 37,” director Carla Traister said.
That’s more than usual, and the shelter had to improvise. “We had several families stay in our Sunday school room because we could only have so many in the main hall.”
This week, The Sheltering Tree will probably be open Thursday and Friday night, and maybe also Saturday and Sunday, Traister said.
The shelter, part of the Flagler County Family Assistance Center, is a donation-funded, volunteer-led effort, and is open every night the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts local temperatures to drop below 40 degrees.
Usually, Traister said, that has been about 30 days per year, and the shelter serves about 30 people each time. A few are bussed up from overflowing shelters in Volusia County.
“We have women that are in their 70s all the way down to young 18-year-old, 19-year-old people,” Traister said.
Volunteers serve a hot supper at about 6 p.m., Traister said, and folks staying over are provided with cots, blankets and breakfast.
The shelter is also pet-friendly, although space for pets is limited. Traister provides two dog crates, one for little dogs up to 15 lbs and another for larger ones up to about 40 lbs.
“We don’t want people staying out because they’re afraid that their pets will have to stay out in the cold,” she said. “We’ve already had one little Chihuahua in there, last week, and I don’t think anyone even knew they were there.”
The shelter also serves a free, hot meal 6 p.m. every Wednesday — regardless of weather — and it's looking into creating a housing program for homeless people.
The program would aid individuals without families, Traister said, who often find themselves ineligible for housing programs designed to serve families with children.
WANT TO HELP?
The Sheltering Tree is seeking volunteers — especially people who could work on the shelter’s overnight shift — and donations of money, warm coats (especially sizes large and extra-large), boots and shoes, and tents and tarps.
To volunteer, call Carla Traister at 517-7305 or 439-3933. Monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 1219, Bunnell, FL 32110, and clothing and other goods can be mailed to 205 N. Pine St., Bunnell, FL 32110.
