Crisis Cold Weather Shelters
Every winter, overnight Crisis Cold Weather Shelters open in our community to provide additional emergency shelter beds. During the 2025-2026 winter, Crisis Cold Weather Shelter sites were open 52 nights and provided 9,100 bed nights. These shelters save lives and would not be possible without the dedication of the host sites themselves, countless community volunteers who compassionately give of their time, and other partners like the City of Springfield and City Utilities Transit of Springfield.
Crisis Cold Weather Shelters
2026-2027 Shelter Season | November 1 - March 31
Need a warm place to stay tonight?
Crisis Cold Weather Shelters provide temporary overnight shelter during freezing weather in the Springfield area. Shelters activate when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures of 32°F or below between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Find Out if Shelters Are Open: Call 417-290-3110
This automated hotline provides daily updates on whether Crisis Cold Weather Shelters will be open. The message is updated each day at approximately 9 a.m.
Important: Shelter space is limited, and availability is not guaranteed.
How to Find a Shelter Bed
Shelters have different sign-up procedures depending on the location and population served.
New for the 2026–2027 season: Daily sign-ups are no longer required. Participating shelters are arranging recurring overnight stays as space allows. If you are not already signed up for a shelter, follow the instructions below to check availability.
Available Shelter Locations
East Sunshine Church of Christ — Men
• How to sign up: Please text or call 417-758-7001 or meet shelter coordinators at South Street Christian Church, 500 South Avenue, at 5:30 p.m. on shelter nights, when evening meals are served, to check bed availability.
• Transportation pickup: South Street Christian Church, 500 South Avenue at 5:30 p.m. for guests already signed up.
Fairbanks — All genders and pets
• How to sign up: Call 417-459-4240 on nights when shelters are open, or meet shelter coordinators at 500 South Avenue at 5:30 p.m.
• Transportation pickup: Resurrection Church, 545 S. Broadway Avenue, beginning at 5 p.m. for guests already signed up.
• Important: Walk-up guests are not permitted at the shelter.
Unity of Springfield — Couples
• How to sign up: Call 417-501-7939 or 417-887-2214 on days when shelters are open.
• Transportation pickup: Resurrection Church, 545 S. Broadway Avenue, at 5 p.m. for guests already signed up.
Grace United Methodist — Women
• How to sign up: Visit New Day, 809 N. Campbell Avenue, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m., to register in advance.
• Transportation pickup: First Baptist, 525 South Avenue, at 5:45 p.m. for guests already signed up.
• Important Note: First Baptist is not available on Wednesdays and Saturdays – please use New Day, 809 N. Campbell Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m.
Harbor House — Men
• How to sign up: Visit New Day, 809 N. Campbell Avenue, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m., to register in advance.
• Important: Identification is required.
• Transportation pickup: New Day, 809 N. Campbell Avenue, at 5 p.m. for guests already signed up.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church/ Christ Episcopal Church — Men
• How to sign up:Sacred Heart/Christ Episcopal sign-ups are currently closed.
• Shelter arrangements: Christ Episcopal provides shelter on nights when Sacred Heart is unavailable.
• Transportation pickup: Walk up directly to site.
What if I Haven’t Signed Up for a Shelter?
If you haven’t secured a shelter bed, you may visit the nightly meal location at 500 South Avenue at 5:30 p.m. on nights when shelters are open. Shelter coordinators may be able to connect you with an available bed if space opens up.
Please note: Shelter space is limited. Visiting the meal site does not guarantee a shelter bed.
Additional Shelter During Extreme Weather
Additional shelter locations may become available during periods of extreme cold or significant inclement weather.
Volunteering
Volunteers are critically needed for a variety of roles with Crisis Cold Weather Shelter sites; not only staying at shelters overnight, but also helping to serve meals, deliver supplies, and transport pets. All volunteers will receive the necessary training.
Work Place to Warm Place
Get your office, business, or organization involved! Through Work Place to Warm Place, organizations can sponsor a week of shelter coverage by providing a team of five volunteers that will be at the ready and used on an as-needed basis. These teams ensure shelters can open even when regular volunteers are unavailable – becoming the safety net that keeps people safe during the coldest months.
Businesses or organizations interested in sponsoring a week or learning more can contact Adam Bodendieck at abodendieck@cpozarks.org.
Volunteer Training Videos
Shelter Specific Training Videos
Donating
While overnight volunteers are our most critical need, there are other important ways you can support this important initiative. If you would like to donate financially, click HERE! Please leave a note that indicates the donation is for Crisis Cold Weather Shelters in the Notes section.