Salvation Army shelter open tonight as cold snap hits

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 3/11/15. Kimberly George, director of development, speaks about how the Salvation Army is one of several area agencies that is applying for a portion of $162,700 worth of funds set aside by the United Way to supplement emergency food and shelter programs. Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 3/11/15. Kimberly George, director of development, speaks about how the Salvation Army is one of several area agencies that is applying for a portion of $162,700 worth of funds set aside by the United Way to supplement emergency food and shelter programs.

By Staft Report November 20, 2016 2 min read

With temperatures expected to plunge into the high 20s tonight, the Chattanooga Community Kitchen and the Salvation Army will open to offer overnight shelter for the homeless.

Community Kitchen CEO Jens Christensen said temperatures are expected to go below freezing very early today, so the kitchen will open its doors earlier than the usual 7 a.m. for people to come inside and get warm.

He said the building at 727 E. 11th St. can shelter about 150 people overnight. The kitchen normally opens for overnight shelter on Dec. 16 and offers 24-7 service for a few months, Christensen said.

The Salvation Army will open the ReCreate Cafe, the day center at 800 McCallie Ave., at 7 p.m. today, marketing director Kimberly George said in a news release.

She is asking the public to help by donating supplies such as toiletry items (hotel sizes are best, she said), coats, gloves, coffee and snack cakes for the shelter. Donations of money are welcome, too, she said.